Lord Harris of High Cross, founding director of the Institute of Economic Affairs and "chief architect of Thatcherism" died yesterday. Lord Harris played a leading role, through his work with the IEA, in guiding Thatcher's government on many a policy issue.
Scotland needs figures like Lord Harris to play a key role in developing policy. The Scottish Tories are not alone in being devoid of any sensible progressive policy development. However, the Scottish Tories do seem most unable to come up with any development at all.
Speaking to a leading academic, during David Cameron's visit to Edinburgh last week, he told me how he was dismayed when he offered to help contribute to the Tories policy development in Scotland. He was bluntly told that his efforts would be better spent down south where the real policy development is going to take place.
Annable Goldie and Murdo Fraser will not offer the country any real fresh thinking for May 2007. They are certainly unlikely to offer any policies based on freedom. Annabel is so averse to thinking things through that she hasn't even reshuffled the policy spokepeople she inherited when she took over from David McLetchie. What hope if she isn't even brave enough to do that more than a year after taking over at the helm?
Out of curiousty since you seem to be a Tory in Scotland...but are completley pissed off with the Scottish Tories who do you think should replace Annabel Goldie as leader if not Murdo Fraser?
Posted by: Outsider | 20 October 2006 at 08:28 PM
re Outsider. Well there lies a problem! However it's not just about leadership, although that could make a tremendous difference.
Posted by: Scottish Political News | 25 October 2006 at 12:44 PM
I think it is unfair to lump Murdo Fraser in with Annabel Godie. In my experience Murdo is bursting with ideas, but he is stifled in his current role.
My only critcism of Murdo is that he should have challenged Goldie for the leadership last year. But then he would probaby have lost, and badly, knowing the Tory membership, so perhaps he is better off where he is.
Posted by: Boy Blue | 25 October 2006 at 05:22 PM