Scottish Election 2021: Why Edinburgh council's belated announcement about fixing roads won't affect the result – John McLellan

What a coincidence that a week away from the elections, the SNP-Labour council coalition decided to reveal new plans to spend an extra £6m on road and pavement repairs and £2m on social care.

The Scottish and UK governments respect embargos on such announcements, but not so those master strategists in the City Chambers.

Never mind that calls for more resources in these areas have been made for years, what is cynical is that there isn’t a public plan to scrutinise, just a press release saying that a report will be brought forward in a few weeks’ time.

Obviously, the election will be over by then, but anyone who thought jumping the gun was going to make a difference to voting intentions is sadly deluded.

Out leafleting over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spoken to a good number of voters of all persuasions, and there is a distinct sense of fatigue and a lack of enthusiasm for the whole thing.

However crucial this election is supposed to be, it doesn’t appear to be cutting through to voters and even if it’s not the Conservatives, a lot of people aren’t sure who to back.

My experience isn’t unusual and although hardly scientific, if people aren’t sure who to vote for and accept the polls are pointing to a clear SNP win then it suggests turnout could be low.

Edinburgh Council has announced money for road and pavement repairs that should have been addressed years ago, says John McLellan

And making rushed announcements about money for basic functions which should have been addressed years ago isn’t going to make a jot of a difference.

John McLellan is a Conservative councillor for Craigentinny/Duddingston

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