Sir, – Sour grapes is the only possible description of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s reaction to the prime minister’s response to her letter requesting, or was it demanding, permission to hold another referendum on the question of Scottish independence.
As an ardent supporter of the “no” side when Alex Salmond tried to take Scotland out of the UK in 2014, I simply abhor the ongoing clamour by the Scottish National Party to break up the union.
Over the centuries Great Britain has proved itself to be a force to be reckoned with militarily, politically and economically.
It would be a complete disaster if actions taken by a group of separatists were ever allowed to cause a division in this most effective of unions.
The rationale behind a cause such as the SNP is difficult to understand.
A small island group such as the British Isles should not by rights have the international influence which it still enjoys.
And especially since it still remains a kingdom in today’s global economy.
But somehow the equation still works and the UK still commands respect from more powerful nations, both in terms of economics and military power.
We must ask ourselves on what grounds would Nicola Sturgeon and her SNP zealots base their case globally for our wee country of Scotland? There are multitudes of beautiful countries globally; our history and traditions are interesting but they cannot be described as breathtaking.
Get real, Nicola!
Without all the ongoing propaganda from the SNP, with tartan-clad, woad smeared marchers, the SNP has little to offer Scotland.
Voters should take more heed of the totally inefficient administration run by the SNP minority government at Holyrood.
Its record in health, welfare, education on farming grants, policing etcetera is appalling.
These are the factors on which the SNP should be judged.
The act of turning her grim face threateningly towards the prime minister when he does us all a favour by saying no to Scottish independence has become the trademark of this woman.
Scotland can do better.
Robert I G Scott.
Northfield,
Ceres.
SNP must boost support for indy
Sir, – Is there any solution at all to the current impasse between Holyrood and Westminster over the way forward on an independence referendum?
For the staunch SNP activists – determined to bang the drum and march through the streets – it would be wise to heed the words of Joanna Cherry MP and QC (Johnson puts brakes on FM’s referendum plans, Courier, January 15).
She tells us, rightly, that there is no shortcut through litigation.
Indeed, the answer lies in “political strategy and reaching out beyond the political tribes”. There can be no more concise way of telling her party that there is little point in preaching to the converted.
If a new case for independence is to be taken seriously then it needs to work towards two things.
The first is to win enough support to have the opinion polls tell us that at least 60% of voters back the case and continue to do so for a period ranging into months not weeks.
The second is to work towards getting an even bigger majority in next year’s Holyrood elections than it got in those elections in 2011.
Some may say that there is support already expressed in Scottish Parliament, European and general elections in the last few years.
But support for the SNP doesn’t necessarily mean those same people are backing independence.
Even if they were, that backing only hovers around 45% and 50% – hardly enough to guarantee a win for the Yes side in any referendum.
Add to that the reality that a new economic case for autonomy needs to be made out and the SNP is faced with a stark reality.
It would be pointless to go for a poll in the course of this year even if Boris Johnson agreed to it.
The alternative is the hard slog up to next year’s Holyrood poll, knowing that if they don’t win by a huge margin, the case for independence will be buried for more than a decade.
Bob Taylor.
24 Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
What planet are Greens on?
Sir, – Having read the article (Giving refugees a vote is “complicated”, says MSP, Courier, January 17), I am left asking myself what planet the Scottish Green Party is living on.
To suggest that asylum seekers and refugees should be granted the same voting rights that we, the people of this country, have is ridiculous.
In other countries you have to be a resident and registered to be able to vote in any election.
Do the people who come up with these ideas not have a proper job?
Mrs June Reid.
12 Findhorn Street,
Fintry.
Dancing round independence
Sir, – Regards Alex Bell’s column (Leaders’ tango well received, Courier, January 16)his rather strange Al Pacino analogy is lost on me. The article is a clear attempt to compare the character, aspirations and similarities of our first minister with those of the prime minister.
An attempt to suggest that Nicola Sturgeon thinks one thing but actual believes another is way off the mark.
This biased observation has neither proof nor foundation.
I have no doubt the first minister would be delighted to hold an independence referendum this year but, as we all know, it is not in her gift.
We are again subjected to the dredging up of a catalogue of SNP failures, completely ignoring the successes despite the 10 years of austerity put upon us in which a devolved government in Scotland has to operate and continues to endure.
Perhaps Mr Bell could be more magnanimous by comparing the Scottish Government’s performance with the totally broken policies of the Tory Westminster government which drives the economic wheels of the UK.
Their 10-year long tenure and their £2.3 trillion deficit, supplemented by the Brexit nightmare, have all taken their toll.
The astute people of Scotland know this and they are the final arbitrers, not journalists or pundits.
Dan Wood.
Charles Melvin Gardens, Kirriemuir.
Society must work for all
Sir, – With United for All Ages revealing Britain is one of the world’s most age-segregated countries, urgent action is needed to benefit our ageing population.
By uniting generations, we can create a society in which all can flourish.
Shared experiences provide valuable interactions, reduce stigma around ageing and increase understanding.
Government must commit to making the UK a society for all ages.
We demand a National Positive Ageing Strategy to encourage more intergenerational interaction. Increasing supply of specialist housing for older people can free up family homes and get the property market moving.
We need a national taskforce to back the development of suitable and affordable retirement housing and care. We must act now to build a fair and inclusive society for all.
Jane Ashcroft CBE.
CEO, Anchor Hanover.
