Madam, – Unionist letter writers will take any opportunity to attack the SNP or the Scottish Government.
It forces them to contort logic and twist facts to reach that position on absolutely every subject.
So it was with Messrs Sutherland and Farmer (Courier Readers’ Letters, July 25) as they took it in turns to attack our first minister’s position over Brexit and the annointing of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson as prime minister.
Mr Farmer finds the first minister unstatesmanlike, simply because she opposes the ideals of the Tories, whilst Mr Sutherland thinks the Scottish Government should simply roll over and play dead and ignore the 62% of the Scots electorate who backed Remain in 2016.
The world is laughing at the ironically titled “Great” Britain.
One newspaper asked: “How far can Britain fall?”
But Canute-like, the British nationalists believe they can hold back the tide of history by blithely ignoring the fact the emperor has no clothes.
Scotland does not have to suffer these fools gladly and by choosing independence can become a beacon to the other nations on these islands in throwing off the dead hand of little-Britain exceptionalism and to move forward with democracies that serve all the people.
Now that is “taking back control”.
Henry Malcolm.
331 Clepington Road,
Dundee.
If not the SNP, then who?
Madam, – Voter apathy is something that has been targeted and campaigned for.
Mixed messaging about leader/party validity or items that try to push you away from a main campaign is probably someone trying to manipulate you.
I saw a post, “You don’t have to be SNP to be Yes.” That is a direct voter apathy post, but I doubt the original poster sees it that way.
This stuff is pervasive.
The truth is the SNP are the route to independence.
They are a broad church with something for everyone. Even Boris.
Looking at his speech in Downing Street, he is implementing many of the SNP policies, delivered since 2007, across the rest of the UK.
So, “If not the SNP then who?”
Brian Kelly.
16 Iona Road,
Dunfermline.
Negativity is hard to swallow
Madam, – No matter what you think of Boris Johnson, on the day he became prime minister his words emphasising positivity for the UK were in stark contrast to Scotland’s first minister.
Nicola Sturgeon chose to focus on negativity, on who and what she did not like, and her contempt for those who do not agree with her was clear.
This tone might play well with the SNP faithful, but she could yet prove to be the person who does most to boost our new prime minister’s popularity in Scotland.
As Boris Johnson leads a government aiming to deliver on the big challenges of the day, Scotland’s first minister offers a prospectus of grievance and complaint, whilst ducking the realities of her own government’s shortcomings.
Keith Howell.
West Linton,
Peeblesshire.
Defence forces a priority for Boris
Madam, – Rev. Dr John Cameron’s ultimate point (Royal Navy in decline, Courier, July 25) is right about national defence and the preservation of our safety: far too little is spent on Royal Navy warships, as exemplified by the present stand-off in the Gulf.
Mrs May’s political “legacy” includes the commitment of trillions of pounds for “fighting climate change,” by decarbonising.
There is no evidence that such an industrially and domestically ruinous policy could bring any climatic benefits.
If mis-spending our money were not damaging enough, to deprive our defence forces, any government’s first priority, is near-criminal negligence.
One hopes earnestly for a reversal of that plan.
Dr Charles Wardrop.
111 Viewlands Rd West,
Perth.
Double standard over new PM
Madam, – A.A. Bullions bemoans Boris Johnson being elected prime minister by the majority of the 160,000 Conservative Party members (Britain heading on path to ruin, Courier, July 25).
However, at least he was elected, unlike the commissioners who run the EU who have no electoral mandate whatsoever.
Neither do I recall any election resulting in Nicola Sturgeon being anointed first minister.
GM Lindsay.
Whinfield Gardens,
Kinross.
Actions speak louder, Theresa
Madam, – Theresa May throughout her cabinet career was excellent at making speeches. However, how much of it was rhetoric?
On Wednesday at her last PMQs she said “At its heart, politics is about the difference we make every day to the lives of people up and down the country” and she said she wanted this to be a country that works for everyone.
However this great speech was made in the week 10,000 people in Harrogate were put on Universal Credit.
It is a system that is fundamentally flawed and Theresa May refused to cancel it despite advice from think tanks and people who see the catastrophic results. Nice words Theresa, but actions speak louder.
Gordon Kennedy.
117 Simpson Square,
Perth.
Staff had to grit and bear it
Madam, – The excellent letter by N. Craig (Council is throwing good money after bad, Courier, July 18) brought back memories of silly money-wasting by Fife Council during my employment as a roads worker with them between 1983 and 2017, based mostly at Cupar depot.
I remember an occasion in the late 90s when a cool, damp spring was followed by some very pleasant weather.
Verge and bank growth was dense and luxuriant and, with no apparent attention to grass cutting, the council was subject to public complaints and pleas from its own employees to attend to this potentially dangerous situation.
The response was an all-guns-blazing attack on the winter grit bins.
Several hundred had to brought back to depot, emptied, washed and stored.
By the time the last bins were returned there was only weeks before they had to be re-filled and put out again.
Absolutely nothing was gained from the exercise, just several thousand pounds wasted.
If I were to record all similar ‘silly’ events during my time with the council, I would probably fill an entire week of The Courier from front to back!
However, the grit bin farce would always be within the top three.
Allan Harris.
7 South Wynds,
Colinsburgh.
The Bell tolls for Nicola Sturgeon
Madam, – Yet again Alex Bell has been able to elevate himself above his SNP and independence allegiance to deliver an objective and insightful verdict on Nicola Sturgeon’s and the nationalists’ performance and prospects (Don’t start clapping, Nicola, Courier, July 25).
To misquote Hemingway and John Donne: “Ask not for whom the (Alex) Bell tolls, Nicola, it tolls for thee”.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
