THE recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey gives an insight into Scottish public opinion on many issues, including views on both Holyrood and Westminster.

Produced every year since the Scottish Parliament was set up, the 2023 survey was reported with a BBC headline ‘Trust in Scottish Government at lowest level’.

This reveals dissatisfaction with politics – and politicians; First Minister John Swinney is facing up squarely to rebuilding trust in Holyrood to act in Scotland’s best interests. Only 47 per cent think it does. But trust in Westminster is less than half that – just 21 per cent think Westminster acts in Scotland’s best interests.

Scottish Labour is now accountable; 50 per cent in Scotland think wealth should be redistributed from the better-off to the less-well-off but, with its huge Westminster majority, Labour is still refusing to end the Tory benefit cap and alleviate child poverty.

The Scottish Child Payment has lifted 100,000 children out of poverty in Scotland, and the proportion of young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds applying to university has risen in Scotland, where tuition is free, but fallen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – where Labour continues to impose fees.

The “fatal strategic flaws” found by the damning Covid-19 inquiry pinpoint “serious errors on the part of the state”, undermining views that Scotland benefited during the pandemic from being part of the UK.

Scotland is also still dragged down by Brexit. In spite of Keir Starmer’s recent European ‘summit’, Labour’s policy will do little “to address the continuing economic impact of Brexit... and has ruled out changes that would impact on economic growth” (source: ‘UK in a Changing Europe’).

In East Lothian, 64.6 per cent voted to remain in the EU, along with every other region in Scotland. Labour is refusing to reverse Brexit’s drastic consequences, which include chaotic immigration and visas for non-EU workers.

I will continue to focus on how to help to grow business – especially the likes of Sunamp and Had Fab, who are exemplars of growth – and look forward to continue working with them.