Why I vote both SNP and Tory – Helen Martin

Helen Martin explains why she votes for the SNP nationally, while backing Conservatives on Edinburgh City Council.

Nicola Sturgeon has handled the coronavirus outbreak much better than Westminster, says Helen Martin (Picture: Scottish Government/AFP)

ONE thing that is clear about Nicola Sturgeon is that she has handled coronavirus much better than Westminster. Losing lives is obviously worse than losing jobs . . . unless one lives in Aberdeen where the Labour-Tory council administration has a very UK attitude.

They believe their economy and employment is worth more than dealing with a Covid-19 spike which won’t only affect their own citizens but could, if they reject lockdown and open up pubs and restaurants as they did before, spread it further in Scotland too.

Perhaps because Edinburgh Council is an SNP-Labour coalition, they do what Sturgeon says and don’t revolt against her.

However, they are losing the respect of Edinburgh citizens because of bizarre road changes, ignoring business and resident objections, wrecking Leith Walk with trams again, and consistently pushing tourism when we’re still not happily over and done with Covid-19.

That’s why I would vote nationally for SNP but prefer Edinburgh’s Tory councillors who are more representative of locals and logical rather than foolish and tyrannical.

It’s ironic and strange. Leader Adam McVey and co are behaving more like Boris Johnson and the bullying Tory government, while our Conservative councillors are more democratic and listen to their electors but are treated like irrelevant enemies.

Yet again, isn’t it time councillors stood as individuals, treated each other as equals, shared documents, information and debates and worked together to do their best for the city rather than playing at political warfare games?

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