2 weeks Ago By Scotsman Letters
Joyce McMillan asks why this decade of exceptionally poor governance at Westminster has not shifted the dial on Independence ( Perspective, 20 September ). Perhaps she has spent the last ten years abroad but the simple answer is that governance has been far worse in Scotland , with a government so corrupt and incompetent that it made Venezuela look better governed. She then questions why “the Unionist movement has not moved on from Project Fear”, which properly named should be “Project Reality”.
The reply, of course, is that it is difficult to move on from reality when that reality hasn’t changed. The Independence movement has yet to answer the issues raised by Better Together all those years ago in 2014. The reason they can’t answer them is that there is no answer.
She goes on to provide a vision of a “thriving Scotland alongside the Nordic, Baltic States and Ireland”. But none of those countries have a National Health Service totally free at the point of use. I have never imagined that the abolition of “free at the point of use” was a vote winner but maybe Ms McMillan is a better sales person than me.
She would also have to sell the idea of income tax at 33 per cent being paid once £1,000 has been earned, as in Sweden. The years of austerity, to which she so often refers in her diatribes about Westminster, arose from a financial crisis caused in the UK by the bankruptcy of RBS and the Bank of Scotland, both, I think, Scottish banks. The cost to the UK economy was around £150 billion.
If such a sum had been visited on an independent Scottish economy, years of austerity would have turned into decades. Thank heavens we were part of the Union in 2008 and continue to be so! Mark Tennant, Elgin, Moray Go federal How refreshing to see Joyce McMillan so positive in the face of so much negativity, not least about the present Labour government under the already tottering leadership of Keir Starmer . Just who do they represent? I voted Labour in the recent election in the hope of improved and radical governance, but all we seem to be getting is more of the same and worse.
One thing for sure is that I wouldn't be voting for Labour now, and frankly, wonder if I'd vote at all. Never has support for an elected government evaporated so quickly after a landslide victory, albeit enabled by a mere 34 per cent of the electorate. Surely, the first-past-the-post system is finally discredited and it's well past time to adopt a proportional representation system? The so-called Westminster bubble has well and truly burst into out-of-touch brokenness, with Keir Starmer considering it acceptable to receive gifts amounting to six figures on top of his generous salary and the deplorable Nigel Farage rarely seen in Parliament and spending more time supporting Donald Trump's presidential campaign than his constituency in Clacton.
Methinks, along with Joyce McMillan, that a federal solution solution is overdue in our broken Britain. Ian Petrie, Edinburgh Disappointed I voted Labour unhesitatingly in July. Most likely I would do the same again if another election was called tomorrow because, at least in Scotland, they are my bulwark against pervasive nationalism.
But I feel a deep disappointment in Keir Starmer 's administration so far. I am aware he has to balance his cabinet but two former Corbynistas in key positions left me and, I am sure, many others a little uneasy. And for a top lawyer, Sir Keir's judgment on several fronts I find a tad unsettling and as an old man let me say that does not mean the winter fuel allowance withdrawal, with which, in general, I agree.
Could we switch off and start again please? Alexander McKay, Edinburgh Hold on to hope 18 September 2024 was a brilliant day on every level, as dozens of blue and white Saltires surrounded the ancient stronghold of Ruthven Barracks in the Highlands. With a great turnout, frae a’ the airts, the Yes campaign celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Scottish referendum, when Scotland was cheated out of independence by the false “Vow” – remain in the UK and you will remain in Europe! Regardless of present SNP troubles, the Indy vote is still around 50/50. With hope in our hearts and renewed courage and confidence in our rich, well-endowed country, unity of purpose will achieve independence.
I earnestly believe all the diverse and independent countries of the British Isles will become interdependent on each other within the European family of nations. Grant Frazer, Cruachan, Highland Shall we vote? If one even dares to raise criticisms in public or in the media about the obvious incompetence of the SNP administration at Holyrood there is an immediate angry response from persons loyal to the independence cause. I suppose that is quite understandable, but are they oblivious to the current drastic state of Scotland's economy and devolved public services? Has it never occurred to them that the SNP/Green alliance (until quite recently) has been totally responsible for the chaotic state of most devolved matters, both at Holyrood and at local authority levels? We have become accustomed by now to the “blame” syndrome initiated by the SNP against Westminster for any woes affecting these northerly parts of the UK.
But this tactic does not work any more. Following the rout of the SNP in the recent Westminster elections, it is obvious that the people of Scotland are most certainly no longer fooled by the Nationalists. If any remaining members of the SNP wish to challenge any of the points raised, then let's have an election in Scotland for the regional parliament at Holyrood much sooner than the spring of 2026.
The current situation in Scotland reminds me of the idiom: “Put your money where your mouth is!” Unfortunately, this northerly part of these islands seems to be short of funding – but in typical SNP terminology such problems are always down to Westminster! Could it be said that, as an aspiring independent country, this is when their argument appears to be rather thin. Robert IG Scott, Northfield, Ceres, Fife Pie in the sky Mary Thomas ( Letters, 20 September ) gives us the usual claim of Ireland having a higher standard of living than the UK. She ignores the distortion of Irish GDP figures by Ireland’s extremely low corporation tax attracting foreign multinationals whose profits boost Ireland’s finances while resting in its account, to later be repatriated to the companies’ own countries.
Irish experts, including Professors John Fitzgerald and Patrick Honohan, put Ireland below the UK in terms of consumption per capita. Perhaps Ms Thomas can explain why, if the UK is such an undesirable place to live, so many foreigners try, often desperately, to reach here from a safe haven in France. Ms Thomas asks the usual separatist question about why an “energy-rich independent Scotland” could not attain as high a standard of living as Nordic countries.
She should heed the words of the respected Fraser of Allander Institute: “It is not enough to say ‘everything will be fine’ or ‘look at this country, they can run a sensible fiscal balance so why can’t Scotland?’ Concrete proposals are needed.” The separatist plan remains pie in the sky. Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh Flesh wounds? Buying fruit nowadays is something of a lottery but this was not always the case.
Could it be that those who know the business – growers, wholesalers and retailers – have become rather careless about the state of the produce on the shelves? Michael SR Bruce, Edinburgh Stop funding Israel’s latest actions in Lebanon are further evidence that Benjamin Netanyahu is an out-of-control Israeli Prime Minister who bites the hand that feeds him from the USA. Little wonder the atrocities in Gaza, West Bank and now Lebanon are worsening when the ineffective Antony Blinken and Joe Biden refuse to impose sanctions of any sort. Netanyahu has turned Israel’s right to defend itself into what he sees as the right to do what he wants, to slaughter thousands of innocents, drive Palestinians from their homes and land, and drag Israel down to the same level as their enemy, Hamas.
Surely the Israeli people can see that their hopes for a peaceful solution will not be helped by such a cruel and hostile approach which knowingly breaches international law and rules. Funding to Israel while Netanyahu is in power should surely stop until the country has a leader who believes that one human life is worth the same as another. Andrew Turnbull, Perth Heartening Recently, while gardening for a friend, I had a heart attack.
While this was happening thoughts of waiting times for ambulances and a blocked A&E f lashed through my mind. I was some distance from Edinburgh and, as it happened, the ambulance and crew were even further. From the first moment of the 999 call “the great chain” went into its procedure.
Seen immediately on arrival by an army of doctors and nurses, this ailing body was saved. Continuing nursing post-operative care was outstanding. I owe my life to every person in this chain.
Thank you from this repaired heart and I hope this old fiddle can play some new tunes. Jon Redpath, Penicuik, Midlothian Write to The Scotsman We welcome your thoughts – NO letters submitted elsewhere, please. Write to [email protected] including name, address and phone number – we won't print full details.
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