Sir, – The leaders’ debate hosted by STV may have been too long and too confrontational, but it did highlight one key fact only Scottish Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Greens stand prepared to use the powers coming to Holyrood.
All have put forward a plan to tax those who can afford it a little more and invest that money in cutting inequality in Scotland.
One could argue that the Liberal Democrats don’t go far enough, the Scottish Greens are unrealistic or that Kezia Dugdale is being too ambitious.
However, it is clear that these parties have a radical a vision for Scotland.
In contrast, the Scottish Tories and the SNP appear happy with the status quo.
Neither appears to really want to upset the approach that clearly is not working for so many Scots.
Both are doggedly trying to appeal to middle-class Scots while telling the rest of us that public services can be improved without real-terms increases in spending.
Both refuse to tax the richest 1% even a penny more.
Indeed, a neoliberal consensus appears to have established itself at the heart of Scotland’s political establishment.
While this may be depressing for many left-leaning Scots, there is a glimmer of hope.
It is a fact that the SNP political agenda, like Tony Blair’s, is driven by focus groups.
These are clearly alerting Nicola Sturgeon the Scottish Labour’s progressive vision is gaining traction with voters.
What else can explain why the First Minister chose to question Kezia Dugdale on the 2014 independence referendum and not her positive vision for Scotland?
While this does not signal that an avalanche of voters is heading the way of Scottish Labour, it does perhaps show people are willing to listen and that arguments are being won.
Dr Scott Arthur, 27 Buckstone Gardens, Edinburgh
A commitment to all our young
Sir, – We were delighted to note both the Scottish Liberal Democrats and SNP focus on increasing the skill levels of our young people (March 29) and are sure the other parties will follow suit.
What there is a need to increase the training and employment opportunities available to those with additional support needs (ASN) and care experience, so no one in our society is left behind.
Those with ASN and care experience endure some of the poorest educational and employment outcomes of any group of young people, and if we are to deliver a stronger economy and sustainable economic growth it is vital that we support all our young people into training and employment.
Greater and earlier support is required, so that they make a successful transition into employment and training, and colleges and training providers also require greater financial support, reflecting the cost of providing additional support to those with ASN and care experience.
Figures also indicate that just 0.41% of modern apprenticeship starts in 2014-15 had a self-declared disability, compared with 8.6% of the population in work aged 16-24 who have a disability and this is something we must clearly do better at.
It is also vital that greater assistance is provided to an employer who takes on a young person, as they make such a vital difference.
The rewards of getting these young people, many of whom boast excellent skills, into work are well worth it, with higher loyalty and retention rates as well as contributing to delivering the highly-skilled workforce we require.
Through developing the talents of all our young people we can create a more equal society and welcome a commitment from the political parties to help all our young people.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition: Tom McGhee, managing director Spark of Genius.
Duncan Dunlop, chief executive Who Cares? Scotland. Sophie Pilgrim, director Kindred Scotland. Stuart Jacob, director Falkland House School. Niall Kelly, managing director Young Foundations. Liz May, nationalcoordinator Action for Sick Children Scotland. Gifford.
SNP need to be nicer to England
Sirs, – It has occurred to me after watching the aggressive attitude of some of our SNP MP’s, especially during Prime Ministers Questions, that English nationals might not feel welcome to visit Scotland for holidays.
Add to this the SNP votes against Sunday extended shopping hours in England and the English fox hunting issue, which really had nothing whatsoever to do with Scotland.
I hope I am wrong, but I believe some of our Scottish elected MPs need to control their aggression and try to be just a little supportive towards England and the English in an effort to aid tourism in Scotland.
Mev Braid, Kinkell Avenue, Glenrothes.
Lochgelly needs action not words
Sir, – “It cannot be seen as a political issue either, all parties should unite to support this campaign”, says Brian Schulz, chairman of Lochgelly Community Council about the campaign for a new health centre in Lochgelly (March 28).
Of course, nobody can deny Lochgelly needs a new health centre, and I don’t think anybody does.
So why are Mark Hood, Linda Erskine and Brian Schulz putting on such a visible campaign?
Could it have anything to do with the fact Scottish Labour is facing wipe-out in this May’s Holyrood election and the following year’s council elections?
Alex Rowley is now so insecure in his Central Fife constituency that he reneged on a promise to stand only as a constituency MSP to bag the top slot on Fife Labour’s regional list.
Mark Hood, a Labour Councillor for Lochgelly, has directed his allegedly non-political action at the SNP Government as the authority responsible for denying Lochgelly a new health centre.
Yet he knows this is absurd because the Scottish Government has already allocated £6 million for 2018-19 for a new health centre, despite failing to receive a formal request for funding from NHS Fife.
Since at least June, NHS Fife has been in the process of ‘‘developing a business case” for a new health centre for submission to the Scottish Government, but this still hasn’t materialised.
Mr Hood knows the Scottish Government cannot suspend due process for dishing out public money and lob Lochgelly £6 million to start building a new health centre tomorrow, just because he’s organised a petition.
His campaign recalls a similarly rhetorical request by the then-leader of Fife Labour Alex Rowley to the Scottish Government for a moratorium on wind turbines just before the last council election.
Mr Rowley knew his request could not succeed but that wasn’t the point its purpose was to hold out a carrot to potential voters.
Hard questions clearly need to be asked of NHS Fife, of Fife Labour and of Councillor Hood.
The existing health centre has been recognised as not fit for purpose since at least 2007.
Much more critically, health outcomes for people in Lochgelly are substantially worse than the Scottish average.
The lack of doctors and other health personnel adequate to the needs of the people in Lochgelly is the fundamental issue.
Instead of bluster about a new building, it would be good to hear from Mr Hood and his colleagues in Fife Labour about their track record over the last 20 years in reducing the appalling health inequalities in Lochgelly.
Perhaps then their plans to improve services in the future would carry more conviction.
Linda Holt, Dreel House, Pittenweem.
Sturgeon’s ploy to buy votes
Sir, – In a cynical attempt to buy the votes of the young, Nicola Sturgeon has announced a “jobs grant” of £100 for unemployed people between the ages of 16 and 24, which it is claimed will help with the cost of going back to work.
What twaddle it will simply help with the cost of a couple of good nights out courtesy of the taxpayers.
As George Bernard Shaw said: “A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend of the support of Paul.
The move, however, raises the question that since the Holyrood Parliament was dissolved on March 24 and the first announcement was on March 29 was Nicola Sturgeon, who from March 24 is a candidate for election rather than a sitting MSP, within her rights to make such a pledge or was she acting ultra vires?
There will be someone with a greater knowledge of parliamentary procedures than mine who might enlighten me.
Donald Lewis, Pine Cottage, Gifford.