THE mantra that a second referendum on Brexit, or on independence, would “undermine faith in democracy” has been much in evidence recently.

Only a single Tory leadership candidate, Sam Gyimah, backed a People’s Vote on leaving the EU, while Andrea Leadsom was also on her own in believing that Scotland might be trusted to choose its own future – though she changed her mind within a few hours.

Of course, supporting real democracy, as opposed to asserting the right of prime ministers to prevent it by means up to and including dissolving Parliament, doesn’t do any Tory any good these days. Gyimah had to drop out before the vote and Leadsom didn’t survive the initial round.

Nonetheless, listening to people, recognising when circumstances change and reacting to evidence is the hallmark of true democrats.

The political upheaval since 2014, including Brexit and the mandate won by the current SNP Government in 2016, are overwhelming justifications for a second independence referendum. For that to be vetoed, not just by an extremist Tory prime minister only Tories elected, but also by a leader of the Scottish Tories who hasn’t won so much as a putting competition in that role, is a democratic outrage, and one that cannot stand forever. The failure to support and sustain real democracy is what is really damaging our public life, no matter what slippery, self-seeking Tories say.

It is epitomised by the refusal of both the Tory and Labour UK leadership to recognise that a second European referendum is the democratic way to break the parliamentary deadlock, not abolishing Parliament itself.

The same phrase about democracy has also been getting a considerable outing in my own constituency in the past few days. The people of Mull and Iona have been objecting for months to a plan by Argyll & Bute Council which would impose draconian parking charges at key lifeline ferry ports. Local people would end up spending £9 a day to leave their car at Craignure to attend a dentist appointment in Oban, and a week on Iona would mean a compulsory cost of £54 for parking at Fionnphort.

Last November, the community held a meeting in Craignure at which all the relevant councillors committed themselves to proper consultation. All indicated that they wanted to get a solution that worked. None of those things has happened yet, but the council’s Tory/LibDem administration (with Labour/independent support) carried on regardless.

So, the council’s Oban and Lorne area committee this week approved the new scheme by four votes to three. Moreover, not only were the objectors not allowed to make representations at the meeting, there had also been no island impact assessment (despite offers of help with that).

The whole fiasco demonstrated a complete contempt for what the island communities think and need. Mull only has one resident councillor and she voted against the plan, alongside the two SNP councillors. But that did not matter to Argyll & Bute Council.

The decision also wilfully defies the Scottish Government as it flies in the face of the spirit and letter of the Islands Bill, passed last year. The council maintains that as some parts are not yet in effect it has done nothing wrong. Legally that may be true – morally and politically, it is a sleekit way to behave.

Unfortunately, there are many local examples of this approach, including the refusal some years ago to sell Castle Toward to the community. The current leadership of Argyll & Bute Council, by its actions, really does test local faith in democracy to destruction.

But there is a bright spot in all of this, and it lies at Holyrood. The Scottish Parliament is not perfect, but while Westminster literally does nothing because it is paralysed by Brexit and the Tory leadership farce, and Argyll & Bute Council reverts to its bad old ways, this week, MSPs of all parties worked together to pass significant legislation on the 2021 census and organ Donation and discuss key issues such as climate change – and even where there was a difference of opinion, as on the 20mph speed limit, there was still common ground on action that can and should be taken forward.

To me, at least, that suggests that the Scottish Parliament, about to enter its 21st year, is working hard to not just preserve but increase faith in democracy. It is Westminster – and my local council – that need to up their game.