Owning a car is a freedom SNP must not chip away at

THE SNP recently announced it is dropping its manifesto commitment to cut private car use by 20%. The idea has been overshadowed by other, more serious and emotive events in Scottish politics of late, but it is important and deserves attention.

- Alan Grant Writer and Commentator

The target was abandoned quietly after it became clear it was not feasible, with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop telling MSPs it was "not realistic and will need to be changed".

Hyslop is right, of course, it's not going to happen. But she, or one of her successors, will doubtlessly update the target of getting people out of their cars with measures like the low emission zones (LEZ) that is already in place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, or other nudging methods designed to discourage use of private automobiles.

Scotland's politicos, like most other well-paid, professional middle-class people living and working in metropolitan areas, are profoundly anti-car. They see encouraging people on to public transport, to bicycles or to walk as part of their mission.

The perceived wisdom is that doing so is good for the planet, for people and society.

Who could possibly argue with such lofty aspirations?

But I, as I am prone to do, ask: what about freedom?

ASA recently qualified, later-in-life new driver, owning a car is a freeing experience. When I sit in it, I decide who else gets in and who does not, where it goes and by which route, and, within limits, how quickly it gets there.