There has been some astonishing nonsense spouted over the SNP’s plan to bring buses under public control, not least from members of the industry who have shown themselves to be as stupid as they are hyperbolic and fragile.

Take McGill’s Buses, for instance. The Scottish firm is the largest bus operator in Britain. Sandy Easdale, who owns McGill’s with his brother James, accused John Swinney of acting like “Idi Amin”.

The chairman of McGill’s, Ralph Roberts, accused Swinney of planning “business confiscation”.

What idiocy. McGill’s chiefs need to return to school and get an education.

Taking buses into ‘public control’ doesn’t mean public ownership, let alone ‘business confiscation’.

Private companies like McGill's will be able to continue running services. What will change is regulation, as local authorities will decide routes, fares and timetables. Then, under a system of franchising, bus companies - like McGill’s - can bid for contracts.

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Under privatisation, routes deemed not lucrative enough can be cancelled leaving folk unable to get to and from work or the shops - especially those on low-incomes or in rural areas.

To compare the proposed system to Idi Amin’s regime isn’t just ridiculous, it’s revolting. Anyone of my generation grew up with horror stories about Amin butchering his enemies in hellish ways.

Imagine how the families of Amin’s victims feel when they hear fools in Scotland........

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