Scotland needs a long-term plan that removes party politics

As devolution enters its 27th year in Scotland it’s clear that the people of Scotland want to see the next party in government tackle the core issues affecting Scotland today which are currently the cost of living crisis, energy security, food security or food insecurity as some are referring to it, and the many health inequalities that exist throughout Scotland as well as the ongoing housing crisis and ensuring that our children and young people get the best education to maximise their life chances.

To me, addressing the above is really just fixing the basics and while it’s vital that the next Scottish Government gets that right, I also want to see the next Scottish Government have a bit of ambition. Nothing should be out of reach when it comes to addressing the key issues affecting Scotland.

Last week I was in New York City for Tartan Week where our national passion, ambition and confidence was on full display. Brand Scotland on the international stage exemplifies the Scotland I know we can be, but sadly on the domestic front it’s a very different story. The story at home versus the story we tell abroad feels like it could be something out of a Charles Dickens’ novel – a tale of two countries.

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For years, Scotland has been overshadowed by the constitutional question and whilst still important, it’s not the main issue that comes up on the doors in this election. What we do have in Scotland is voter fatigue, people are fed up, there is a clear disconnect between voters and those looking to represent the people of Scotland at Holyrood . With just over two weeks till election day, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there wasn’t an election taking place right now. If this isn’t a wakeup call to both voters and those aspiring to be in office, I don’t know what is.

The sentiment from all political parties is that we can be better, and we can do better in the pursuit of a more progressive Scotland, and I agree with that sentiment, but that’s where it stops. Sentiment alone won’t change the status quo or make things better for the people of Scotland. It won’t build the houses we need; it won’t attract the investment Scotland needs; it won’t train and retain the teachers and teaching assistants we need, and it won’t deliver the reforms needed to transform Scotland’s pressured health service.

What is needed is decisive, pragmatic and progressive political leadership that is focussed on delivery. Anything less than that will just be more of the same. If we think voter turnout in this election is likely to be low, 2031 will almost certainly call into question the effectiveness of devolution and in turn the Scottish Parliament which potentially could see all the great work done to secure and establish a Scottish Parliament be consigned to Scottish political history unless people see real value in devolution and not a talking shop about what it could be.

It may not be unique to Scotland, but what has become the trend over the last few elections is to place an emphasis on tactical voting, on who can beat the SNP.

Numerous letters or leaflets are using bar charts to illustrate this underpinned by gimmick pledges in their respective party manifesto’s all designed to demonstrate that they have a plan that will deliver for the people of Scotland .Whilst the Party manifestos are coming out thick and fast with what feels like a retail offer of betterment, the reality is that no political party in Scotland has caught the attention and imagination of the Scottish voter. This will likely result in a low voter turnout in this election and for anyone who regards themselves as an advocate for democracy this should be a real concern.

Anyone who has read anything I’ve written before will know that I’m a patriot. I love this country, our world known humour, our national resolve, our global backstory and what we have contributed to the modern world tells its own story. But that was the Scotland of yesterday and we must look forward to the future with the same determination and persistence as those previously.

Every party manifesto gives a nod for the need for a long-term plan often spoken about in the context of an industrial strategy which tends to focus on addressing three core areas – Investment, Inactivity and Innovation. To me, these are the bedrock pillars that underpin the health of any economy. To truly transform Scotland in all aspects, we need to have a long-term plan that goes beyond the election cycle and the short-term focus of party politics that looks to address the issues affecting Scotland today for a better tomorrow.

Scotland needs a long-term plan that removes party politics from it with a focus on policy delivery and outcomes, in short, this realpolitik approach would result in better decision making and overall governance and delivery for the people of Scotland and this is something that I will continue to advocate for even after the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

Barrie Cunning, is the Founder of Scotland 2050, former Scottish Parliamentary candidate and managing director of Pentland Communications