Letters / Wake up, Tavish!
Tavish Scott (“Misleading”, S/N, 9/6/14), having finally woken up to find a hand of political cards in progress over Shetland rural schools, is shocked to discover that Mike Mackenzie MSP has appointed himself ‘Dealer’ and – amazingly, in such a short time – is holding all the important cards.
Tavish protests: “There are sensible ways for MSPs to build relationships with Shetland Islands Council making very difficult choices about education across Shetland. Jean Urquhart is a nationalist and Mary Scanlon is a Tory and they both manage a constructive relationship with the SIC.”
Interesting that Tavish likens himself to no-hoper Mary Scanlon and ‘has (if ever) been’ Jean Urquhart who isn’t even aware that a hand is in progress.
Interesting, too, that despite the fact that having a cosy relationship with the SIC is a clear electoral ‘no-no’, Tavish, unlike Mike Mackenzie who is taking the SIC head-on, is displaying an extraordinary lack of political acumen with this toadying letter.
The local council is an important part of any MSP’s constituency which doesn’t necessitate ‘keeping schtumm’ about major local issues like rural schools and submarine cables/Viking Energy.
Quite the reverse, the MSP is there to represent his constituents, not to get under the covers with the local power brokers. Otherwise, he may as well not exist.
Tavish (pathetically) continues: “I would much rather the SIC maintained primary schools and secondary schools across Shetland to deliver the best education our young people need for their futures.”
OK Tavish, most people agree with you on that.
So why haven’t you been arguing for that, both privately with SIC and publicly?
Why haven’t you been taking up cudgels on behalf of your rural constituents?
The local ‘upstart’ Billy Fox gave you a scare last time, what do you think will happen when Mike Mackenzie takes his place with rural schools as the ‘Big Issue’, next time?
You’ve left a big enough vacuum for him to walk into.
Do you think you can sleepwalk your way through yet another election on the back of Gladstone, Grimond and Jim Wallace?
Don’t bet your house on it!
Wake up, Tavish!
John Tulloch
Lyndon
Arrochar
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