Interview with Bryce Hope, Scottish Libertarians candidate in Kincorth, Aberdeen

Interview with Bryce Hope, Scottish Libertarians candidate in Kincorth, Aberdeen 

Why a libertarian candidate in Kincorth?

To answer that I will describe what a libertarian is and then put that into some kind of perspective. 

A libertarian is fundamentally opposed to force, coercion and theft. We believe that people should have the freedom to choose - including choosing to be the one who makes change. Therefore we advocate for free markets because it's the most moral and efficient, simply because it is not based on brute force, but trade and cooperation. 

This is why libertarians stand for minimal government: whatever the state does, the wealth must be taken by force or stealth from those who have produced it.

So what does this mean in real life? And what might it mean for the people of Kincorth? 

The residents of Kincorth would have someone who would fight their corner no matter what. If a resident is charged for a service that they are not getting then I will get them that service! If the council are as unenthusiastic as usual, then I will be a thorn in their side until they do what they should be doing. I will also spend my time exposing what the council (and government) are doing with our money. I will focus them on potholes, waste and maintaining key infrastructure, rather than costly vanity projects and criminalising the innocent. 

A libertarian perspective would greatly revitalise local industry including our scarred and beleaguered Union Street. Our sound economic principles would put a stop to small, local powerhouses of business being out-regulated and replaced by multinational forces who gain the upper hand in government campaigns through press, appeal and lobbying. I would also fight to put a stop to the OUTRAGEOUS business rates and quango fees that only big companies can afford.

What are the main issues you want to prioritise in this campaign?

The biggest priority for me is getting more money back into the pockets of ordinary folk - or, more accurately, letting them keep it! It is my belief that this so-called ‘cost of living crisis’ is caused primarily by national governments, but the local governments are as much to blame. Spending is completely out of control, hundreds of council workers still work from home and the resident of Aberdeen - or wherever they may be - is left feeling completely ripped off. 

This leads me to my second biggest priority which is promoting competition.

Why should a young entrepreneur have to first satisfy a committee made up of their future competitors in order to start a business? That is exactly what you ask of anyone who finds a property and wishes to open a bar or restaurant (or most businesses these days). 

Why should a patient at a surgery be forced to stay with that GP by law if they do not feel they are getting the service they need? That is exactly what happens when Health Boards (committees) run rampant on fundamental rights and kowtow to the demands of failing quangos (private organisations “employed” by governments). 

Why should a parent be forced to send their child to an education establishment if they feel it is to the detriment of the child? That is what happens when councils centralise schools and snatch control from parents in order to promote “popular” doctrines. I could go on forever.

Organisations run by bureaucrats are failing ordinary people. I will make them buck up and get out of our way!

Why is the Libertarian party the best alternative to other parties in your area?

In this specific ward, of course I am going to say yes. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other options out there. I would urge people to vote for any party standing for individual freedom. For Aberdeen, by my judgement that means seven choices. We have libertarian candidates in Kincorth/Nigg/Cove and Torry/Ferryhill Wards. The Scottish Family Party have candidates running in five other wards and I would urge voters in those areas to give your support to them. The independent candidates may also have similar views that oppose further state intervention and I look forward to hearing their ideas.

No legacy party will stand up for you. The SLP and the SFP have plenty enough in common to fight this battle together. We could tackle corruption, expose wasteful spending and put the lagging legacy parties back in their place. We could tackle interference into education and increasingly centralised schooling and finally have councillors who will not bend to the demands of centralised governments in Holyrood and Westminster.

I would urge everyone to find out more about libertarianism by visiting our website where we have resources, information and videos - www.scottishlibertarians.com.