The decisive mandate from Scottish Liberal Democrat members for Tavish Scott as leader should allow him to exercise real influence in an increasingly fluid Holyrood legislature.
That will be measured in the next 18 months, not by the number of "listening" exercises he attends, but whether he can help get a number of measures on to the statute book (Debate & Opinion, 27 August).
Whilst there is a strong case for his party
to support the principle of a referendum on independence, it is less clear whether there is a need for that poll to be a multi-question one. If the Scottish Parliament is to be afforded new fiscal powers, that will require an amendment to the Scotland Act 1998. That is a matter which should test the skill and guile of Mr Scott's Westminster MPs after the Calman Commission has reported, but need not require support in a referendum in Scotland.
He should focus on the introduction of a local income tax (in itself very testing), backing the government on climate-change measures, building credibility with the business community and developing a housing programme which should make this country the envy of the rest of the UK.
Liberal Democrats moved from being a party of protest to a party of influence largely because they were in government in Holyrood for eight years. If Mr Scott rejects a coalition with the SNP, then he must at least show that he can use the existing set up not to whinge but to get real reforms for Scotland. He must know that the alternative is a prolonged period in the political wilderness.
BOB TAYLOR
Shiel Court
Glenrothes, FifeThe full article contains 280 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
