On the day Scottish voters made their historic decision to stay in the UK, James Gray MP launched an extraordinary ‘little Englander’ media attack on David Cameron, including in his Gazette & Herald column.
I have my disagreements with the Prime Minister but I do not doubt his sincerity, or that of Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, on wanting Scotland to remain part of this United Kingdom.
The ‘vow’ these three leaders made to devolve more power to Scotland helped secure that vitally important result. Mr Gray’s ill-timed and ill-judged rant threatened to undermine them.
Despite devolution, our country remains one of the most centralised in the developed world.
Far too many important decisions are taken too far away from the people directly affected by them. For example, decisions on local housing developments are taken in Whitehall when they should be taken in our local town halls.
Finally, as a Christian and grandson of a fighter pilot I found Mr Gray’s comments about the ‘Englishness’ of baptism and Spitfire pilots truly offensive.
Young men and women of different faiths, nationalities and backgrounds laid down their lives to protect the freedom enjoyed by us all in our diverse and multi-faith United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Mr Gray would do well to remember that and measure his words more carefully in the future.
Dr Brian Mathew, Liberal Democrat prospective candidate for North Wiltshire.
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