Ethics may seem an odd word to use in conjunction with Politics but there is the odd one or two Parties in Scotland that do have ethics at their core.

My definition of Ethics may be different to others but put simply I believe it to mean to conduct one’s business in the spirit of honesty and dignity towards others. As I said, not often seen within the Political sphere!

If I am not mistaken the Claim of Right shows within it a clear set of ethics, a platform for us to aim at surely?

A number of Parties are standing on this platform which is good for Scotland but how many are fully absorbing the true spirit or ethos of the COR?

Would it be for instance right for a Party to change its Policy just to gain votes, then maybe revert to their old Policy having gained seats? Is that within the true spirit of the COR? I personally would say no! But then I’m not a Politician and they do say ‘All is fair in love and war’ even Political wars!!

Only voters in Scotland can decide which parties operate within a code of ethics, and ethics are important because we live or die on decisions made by them.

Are Morals and Ethics the same thing? I remember when Boris became PM, when asked if morals were important he said No! He went on to say morality had nothing to do with the ability to do a job! Surely the morals of a person are a good indication of his/her ethics? Prime Ministers are supposed to set examples in all manner of ways.

How we measure people and Political Parties is important because what we are saying when we vote is, this person/party is close to my beliefs, my ethics! Sadly very often the person who stands before us in a Hustings changes into a different species when in Government.

At the moment we can do nothing about that, only in very exceptional circumstances can recall be made.

Sometimes we need to ask ourselves an uncomfortable question, ‘Does my Party fully embrace the spirit of the COR, do I fully embrace the spirit of the COR through my words and conduct?

We are judged rightly or wrongly in everything we do and say.

The hardest word to say is, sorry, oh how I wish more Politicians would say this and actually mean it.

Salvo has come at the right time and I believe it’s meant to be! But the COR challenges us all if we truly want it’s contents to be the foundation of a new Sovereign Scotland.