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Grasping the Thistle

A leading member of the SNP and former MSP Michael Russell has co-authored a book (with Dennis MacLeod) called Grasping the Thistle.  We are delighted that sound arguments for economic liberalism are being raised by such prominent political figures.  The book argues that:

• Government in Scotland has become 'fattened to the point of obesity' and the public sector needs to be slimmed down massively
• The public services should be opened up to greater choice and diversity, including education vouchers and private competitors to the NHS
• Quangos such as Scottish Enterprise should be abolished
• There should be a new political settlement with the rest of the UK, though falling short of independence

We doubt that the SNP is ready to take such ideas on board but these ideas are vital if Scotland is to recover the spirit of enterprise that characterised our forebears.  The book is published by Argyll Publishing, priced £7.99.