WHEN even fairly well-regarded commentators such as Iain Macwhirter are suggesting that it might be beneficial for Nicola Sturgeon to take a lead role in the currently low-key campaign for a re-run of the Brexit referendum, I just don’t “get it”.
I believe that the SNP should refuse to become embroiled in British issues, with the British on their own ground, and make no mistake – issues-wise, Brexit is the daddy of them all.
The SNP should stay well clear and let the English government twist in the wind, as Brexit has confirmed what Scots have known all along, Westminster is indeed the “English” government and boy it sure is twisting in the wind right now.
In case you hadn’t guessed; I am loving it.
However, if the Scottish Government feels it should be “doing something” why not, if possible, arrange some diplomatic visits to small EU states, ensuring that such visits are reciprocal of course?
Such actions could stand us in good stead in future and if nothing else could help redress the fact we as a nation have been shut off from Europe for 300 years.
Malcolm Cordell
Broughty Ferry, Dundee
IN the early years of last century we saw the Liberal Party, at that point the alternative party of power to the Tories, tear itself apart on the Irish question and open the door to being replaced by the young Labour Party. Some of the Liberals supported an Irish Parliament and even Irish home rule and some of them joined with the Tories against it.
We move forward today and see history repeating itself today in the behaviour of the Labour Party in Scotland as it destroys itself. As the Tory government in London inflicts austerity on the UK, attacks benefits to the needy and the disabled, mismanages the NHS in England and starts a privatisation process of it (which has very significant consequences for the NHS in Scotland) the Labour Party in Scotland, formed to defend the people against the Tories, joins with the same Tories in running Scottish councils and spends most of its time in parliament and through its influence in the media ignoring the enemy its supporters expect it to oppose while attacking the SNP.
It has become a tool of the UK establishment and has completely lost the plot. It is hardly surprising that huge elements of traditional Labour support has moved to the SNP and the process is accelerating.
If the likes of Keir Hardie, James Connolly, John McLean and James Maxton and all those other pioneers who provided the fire for a radical vision of a better, self-governing Scotland were leading Labour in Scotland today I know exactly what they would be doing.
They would be leading Scotland to independence.
David McEwan Hill
Sandbank, Argyll
AS someone who attends the 40 Days for Life vigil in Glasgow, I can assure everyone that we do not carry out intimidating protests. In fact, what we do is not even a “protest”. (There’s nothing “peaceful” in anti-abortion protests, August 17).
We stand in silence, praying periodically, to bear witness to the fact that abortion is the biggest human rights crisis of our time. Nobody is approached, harassed or intimidated. We don’t even engage in discussion about abortion. Also, many people show their support by waving, stopping to say hello or honking their horns.
The pro-life movement is mostly comprised of women, many of whom have had abortions. They are always welcomed with open arms as we are not there to judge or condemn but to help those who seek it. Since 40 Days for Life started, the movement continues to grow rapidly as more people realise that abortion is horrific and has no place in a so-called civilised society.
Finally, since 2007 the 40 Days campaign has helped save 14,643 lives. It’s a shame Shona Craven doesn’t appreciate the good work we do, both in Scotland and around the world.
Martin Conroy
Cockburnspath, Berwickshire
READ MORE: There’s nothing ‘peaceful’ in anti-abortion protests
IT was very interesting today to see the subject of mailboxes arise in the news again (EIIR postbox sparks fury after Royal Mail mistake, August 18). Scotland was in a very nationalist mood at the time they first appeared, and covering all mailboxes with the Queen’s title in the English succession really was like a red rag to a bull. I recall siting on a tramcar en route to school when all the boys burst into song:
Scotland husnae got a queen,
And she husnae got king.
How can there be a second Liz,
When the first yin’s never been?
It got our frustrations out of us though. Others needed more, such as the blowing up of pillar boxes. If anyone had been killed as a result of that it would have set Scottish nationalism back by at least half a century. The Unionist establishment were terrified, though the youth of the land was somewhat amused. The practice of putting “EIIR” on Scottish mailboxes was very quickly dropped, which has made me wonder ever since whether the Queen had been involved. It is perhaps time for us all to take a look, as it is not like the British establishment to give up so easily.
Alan Clayton
Strachur, Argyll
READ MORE: New EIIR postbox sparks fury among residents of Scottish seaside town
READING Niamh Jobson’s column in Saturday’s National was a true breath of fresh air (The Isle of Eigg taught me to be the person I am, August 18). Her insight is a tribute to her upbringing, and her love for her life and her island should be a lesson to us all.
With young folk like this, Scotland’s future will be in good hands.
Tony Perridge
Inverness
READ MORE: Year of Young People: Eigg taught me to be the person I am
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