A lack of realism

Scotland’s political parties accused of ‘lack of realism’ over manifesto plans

Scotland’s political parties have been accused of a “lack of realism” over how commitments made to voters ahead of next week’s election will be funded – with a new report claiming all the major parties do not appreciate “just how tough the fiscal challenges” will be for the next government.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said that a slowdown in cash from the UK Government, combined with growing demands – and costs – for health and social care and devolved Scottish benefits, together with a “hangover from some bad budgeting habits” by the last Scottish government means whoever is in charge after May 7 will find their budget “under significant pressure”.

In a paper published 10 days before polling day, the IFS said that plans to either expand the welfare state, as proposed by both the Scottish Greens and the SNP, or alternatively to cut taxes – as put forward by both Reform UK and the Scottish Conservatives – would require “difficult decisions elsewhere in the Scottish budget”.


It is worth pointing out that a lack of realism is what most voters vote for. If political parties venture out onto the thin ice of realism, they are likely to find out what inadequate support feels like and ease themselves back to the safety of caveats and vague aspirations.

Those “difficult decisions elsewhere in the Scottish budget” are the thin ice. Most voters don't vote for difficult decisions. The Scottish Greens and the SNP wouldn't even exist if they did.