COURIER COMMENT

ONE of the main hopes for the Scottish Parliament was that it would not be like Westminster, with its often slavish obedience to party whips.

So why was it that, when MSPs were given the opportunity to defy Executive policy on tolls, which is riddled with inconsistency, so many Holyrood members retreated into flock-like conformity? Their timidity made sheep look brave.

A number of east of Scotland MSPs tamely succumbed to ministers and voted for yet another meaningless tolls review.

They had the chance to stand up for Tayside and Fife. They knew that by every available measure of public opinion it is seen to be grossly unfair to remove tolls on the Erskine Bridge yet keep them on the Tay and Forth. Yet, when it came to the point, these cardboard rebels abandoned principle, fell into line and turned their backs on those who pay daily to use the Tay Road Bridge.

Among the MSP turncoats one name stands out. Andrew Arbuckle is a member of the joint bridge board. He has long been a staunch advocate of a toll-free road system.

Fifteen months ago, Mr Arbuckle objected to tolls on the Tay rising. This is what he said: “Twenty-five per cent of tolls collected go to pay staff wages, with a further 30% going to cover finance charges.

“I was looking forward to a time when the bridge would be toll-free as part of the national road network, but as things stand, motorists are getting fleeced.”

But yesterday it was the voters who indirectly sent Mr Arbuckle to Holyrood who were fleeced. They may have thought he said what he meant and meant what he said. But the truth is he failed to vote against the very tolls he has so long castigated.

Mr Arbuckle told the chamber he was concerned about the future of bridge staff, outstanding debt and maintenance. That is humbug. What really galls is that, as a list MSP, he has a very good chance of being re-elected despite his hypocrisy. There is no justice.

Another Fife Liberal Democrat who mislaid his spine was Iain Smith. Mr Smith said this month that the case for removing tolls had been made. He, too, failed to match words with action, as did his colleague Mike Rumbles.

Six Labour MSPs, who were all too willing to condemn tolls when the heat was on, turned tail yesterday. Christine May, who has been prominent as council leader in Fife, let down the kingdom badly this time. Yet her website proclaims her as anti-toll.

Helen Eadie, Marlyn Glen, Marilyn Livingstone and Scott Barrie ratted on their previous anti-toll position. Dundee West MSP Kate Maclean threw in the towel by abstaining.

When you tot up the votes cast it comes to this. Had those who said they were against tolls remained true and voted with the SNP, Tories, Greens and Socialists, they would have prevailed. Tolls would not have been scrapped immediately, but the case to do so would have been immeasurably strengthened.

And what of the Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Tavish Scott? Well, at least he quietly dropped his demonstrably untrue prior claim that tolls are a useful anti-congestion measure. Mr Scott, who is more than ready to throw public money at subsidised air routes, is less charitable when it comes to the Fife bridges. His policy is, frankly, untenable.

What a betrayal. What a “parcel of rogues.”

They may have succeeded in obstructing natural justice for Dundee and Fife, but this struggle is far from over. In fact, as far as The Courier is concerned, it is only just beginning.