THE Scottish political Establishment gathered last week to deliver pre-prepared lines to each other about how outrageous it is that the voters are turning away from them and might vote for Reform UK or other right-wing parties without any understanding that they have considerably contributed to the political alienation of many under their tenure.

First Minister John Swinney, the architect of the council tax freeze, the man who delivered over a decade of savage cuts to local government and who appears clueless in the face of a housing crisis, NHS crisis, drugs deaths crisis and social care crisis felt so enraged at this threat to his grip on power that he called this summit to “protect Scotland’s democracy.”

In this heroic endeavour he was joined by the leaders of his former coalition partners the Greens, Scottish Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Alba and a cast of 50 others from across the voluntary, charitable and faith sectors.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Labour leader has since spoken of the polarisation and disenfranchisement infecting our politics and the need to deliver for people, but aims his anger only at the SNP. In ignoring the dire performance of his own party, in government at Westminster, and how it is failing to deliver for people he destroys his own credibility and hands another gift to toxic Nigel Farage.

The lack of self-awareness from those leading this endeavour is off the scale, handing Reform a PR open goal that they will undoubtedly capitalise on.

Where was the recognition that each of the main parties involved has at some time been in government at a local, national or UK level and introduced the policies that reward the rich and punish working-class people?

Where was the acknowledgement that the policies they have introduced, sustained or scrapped might have something to do with the disillusionment and contempt shown by the voters to them? Which of them was willing to put their hand in the air and admit culpability? The answer is none.

They forgot to mention how social security payments for the disabled people are cut, that the two-child cap is maintained, the betrayal of Waspi women, soaring NHS waiting lists, the millions that cannot access safe, warm housing, the cost of living leaving people skint and political leaders milking the system with free clothing, accommodation, holidays and tickets for concerts and sporting events.

While in Scotland, Cabinet members have just awarded themselves a £20,000 pay increase in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis! And they wonder why the public holds them in such contempt and is considering voting for others.

If the political class genuinely want to address the root cause of public disenchantment with them, then they need to address the fundamental failures that people see and experience every single day in our communities.

While it should be welcomed that the general secretary of the STUC was invited to the government’s summit, let us not pretend the political elites are truly ready to listen to our movement on these issues. But as trade unionists gather for the STUC Congress, we must unite to make our voice heard for working-class issues.

We need action to end the housing crisis that sees millions of people on housing waiting lists, record homelessness and families driven into the arms of exploitative landlords.

We need to ensure every citizen has the income to live a decent life.

We need to fund our health and social care system that delivers high-quality care to people when they need it.

We need to end the attack on the social security safety net that should support us all in our hour of need.

We need to ensure families do not have to rely on charity to eat.

We need to end the corporate tax avoidance that rips money out of public services.

We need a wealth tax that redistributes the wealth created by working-class people and invests that to build a fairer, more just, and equitable society.

We need strategic assets like Royal Mail, broadband, telecoms and energy in public hands.

We need a well properly funded education system to give our children the best start in life.

We need public services to meet public need and an end to private companies ripping off the public purse.

We need buses and trains that are affordable and roads and railways that are properly maintained.

We need energy that people can afford and an end to customers being fleeced by the big companies.

We need environmental policies that keep our rivers and lochs clean and help meet our climate targets.

If the self-appointed barometers of what is right in our world delivered these policies, then many of the divisions in our society would dissipate and the threat from charlatans like Farage and his mob would melt away.

Those who claim to be leaders or want to be leaders need to lead by example and deliver the changes in our society that will defeat any political group seeking social division.

Craig Anderson is regional secretary for the Communication Workers Union in Scotland.