The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

COMMENTARY: The SNP is failing. And this deal is good for Scots

As someone who has ridden the political rollercoaster from the close of polls to the formation of the new coalition Government - and received the barrage of emails hostile to any suggestion that Liberal Democrats should even talk to the Conservatives - I fully understand the concerns of some that there might be a return to the Thatcher years.

However, having seen the text of a document that is peppered with reformist, progressive language, liberal ideas and policies, I believe those fears are simply not justified.

The fact is, Britain now has an exciting new government and, make no mistake, Scotland has one too.

I, of course, followed Labour's argument for seeking an alliance of progressive, non-Conservative parties and, while always sceptical of its practicalities, I was keen to explore and test its potential.

However, not only did it lack legitimacy or a sustainable majority, there was neither the will nor the coherence to make it happen. Labour had already turned in on itself and into leadership election mode. It was incapable of negotiating or delivering any meaningful agreement.

Any argument that this new coalition lacks legitimacy in Scotland has, to my mind, no substance.

Fatuously and arrogantly, the SNP say 85 per cent of Scotland did not vote Tory. The SNP would do well to acknowledge that 80 per cent did not vote for them either.

In fact, almost 37 per cent of Scottish voters voted for the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives - more than voted for the minority SNP administration in Holyrood (which, incidentally, while denouncing Westminster Tories, has been happy to be propped up by Scottish Tories). Even in Parliamentary terms, while Labour remains dominant in Scotland, the new Government has 12 Scottish MPs - twice as many as the SNP.

In any case, raw and redolent in the Scottish psyche as the Thatcher years are, they predate devolution and the creation of a vibrant Scottish parliament to which we want to transfer more power and autonomy.

The world has moved on, but the neanderthal Mr Salmond has not. He would be better advised, as he has finally left Westminster, to turn his fulltime attention to running his failing administration in Edinburgh rather than acting as an unelected commentator throwing grenades from the touchlines.

The United Kingdom has a government fundamentally different from any in living memory.

Scotland now has a new Government which will change the face of politics. It is not a Conservative Government. It is a coalition Government, with Liberal Democrats sprinkled throughout all departments and at all levels.

Crucially, this is demonstrated by the fact that Danny Alexander, the new Secretary of State for Scotland, is a Liberal Democrat from the Highlands. He led the negotiating team during the coalition talks and has helped shape a Government which will address Scotland's needs and priorities with remarkable skill.

Liberal Democrats in Scotland campaigned for fairness across four main areas. These were fair taxes, a proper start for every child, new green jobs and banking and political reform.

The coalition's proposed new programme will be extremely beneficial to Scotland. Tackling the UK's massive deficit is the top priority, but a proportion of the savings identified to achieve this will be set aside to protect jobs and those on low incomes from the effect of spending cuts.

Funding for the NHS will increase in real terms, providing direct additional funding to Scotland, which will also benefit from the pupil premium. How these funds are applied will, of course, be a matter for the Scottish parliament.

The new Government is committed to reforming our banks to reduce future risks to the taxpayer and ensure that they provide the lending Scottish businesses need. This will be a key responsibility for Vince Cable.

Scotland has the chance to benefit substantially from the new Government's green jobs programme, reinforced by a green investment bank, finance for home energy improvements and support for marine energy, where Scotland leads the field.

Scottish campaigners will surely welcome the fact that the onslaught on civil liberties mounted by the Labour government will be halted in its tracks and put into reverse. ID cards will be scrapped, along with the National Identity Register and next-generation biometric passports.

Protections adopted in Scotland for the DNA database will be adopted as UK standards - an example where devolution leads the way for the UK.

And surely Scotland will rejoice at the end of detention of children for immigration purposes.

One of the uncertainties of the last Parliament was the constant dithering over when and if there would be an election. It demonstrated the superficial opportunism that characterised New Labour.

The new Government's reform agenda will end such shenanigans for good. One of its first acts will be to establish fixed, five-year Parliaments, setting the date of the next election as May 7, 2015, with an early dissolution only possible if 55 per cent of MPs vote for it.

The reform programme does not end there. The House of Lords is to be elected by proportional representation and voting reform for the House of Commons will start with a referendum on the Alternative Vote. There will be a right to recall MPs who have engaged in serious wrongdoing and force a by-election.

For Scotland, the proposals of the Calman Commission, including an allocation of income tax and extra borrowing powers, will be implemented. At the same time, there will be a commission to review the West Lothian Question.

The coalition signals a new beginning for Britain - and a bright new future for all Scots.

ENDS