THE Wee Ginger Dug singles out Elaine Smith for criticism due to her voting against remaining in the EU in the Scottish Parliament on May 26 (Will Tories infight until their party is dead?, The National, May 28).

The article states how North Lanarkshire has benefited from EU grants and says of Elaine’s stance on the EU “It’s that kind of dedication to the interests of North Lanarkshire that cost Elaine the constituency seat of Coatbridge and Chryston”. This, in my opinion, is a completely unfair statement.

Elaine lost her constituency seat due to the decline in support of the Labour Party. But while the voters of the constituency, myself included, may have voted for a pro-independence candidate, many are nevertheless glad that she is still in the Scottish Parliament.

Elaine has a track record of voting according to what she believes is right for the people she represents. Most notably she voted against the Iraq war at a time when to do so took courage that few politicians showed. She did not “sneak back in on the list”, She was elected according to the electoral system we have in Scotland. As such, she has the same rights and responsibilities as any MSP.

Being one of only eight MSPs to vote against remaining in the EU has made her an easy target. However, while we may not agree with her opinion, it is unfair to suggest that it is evidence of a lack commitment to the people of North Lanarkshire.

She has taken the decision to vote against the majority (and not abstain as many politicians do in order to protect their political careers). A substantial number of people on the political left are similarly against remaining in the EU. I suspect Elaine’s position is based on similar concerns and not on a lack of commitment to the people she represents.

To enable grown-up and useful political debate, we need to accept that people who strive to make our society better can come to different conclusions as to how this can be achieved.

Mairi Brady
Coatbridge

TWO revealing responses from Unionist Labour’s Kezia Dugdale and the Tory Margaret Mitchell.

The Tory, probably a supporter of the Westminster set-up with its archaic voting systems and House of Lords, criticises the EU calling it “failing and outdated”. When you watched the opening of Parliament and the fanfare surrounding it, one has to smile and even laugh at such naivety from the Tory MSP.

Kezia Dugdale, clueless as ever, moaned that the SNP “can share sovereignty with every European nation except our nearest neighbours.” The EU does share sovereignty, Westminster does not.

The European Union is not like the Westminster Union. Westminster’s Union is an incorporating union where devolution can be taken away. Scotland is not a free member within Westminster with veto etc. It is not in the same position there as the member states are within the EU. It would have full autonomy within the EU on a par with the other nations of the EU. The UK is not a shared Union where English Votes for English Laws prioritises one nation, the English, in a so-called UK parliament.

The first “law” of comment is to compare like with like. The EU and the UKU are not the same. But, one gets used to Kezia Dugdale’s sotto-voce “SNP baaad” at every turn and her own cluelessness.

John Edgar
Blackford

HAVING just received a pro-EU leaflet giving me advice on how to vote in the referendum from, amongst others, Sir Richard Branson, who was described as an “expert”, I remain unable to become even remotely engaged or enthused either way.

The fact Sir Richard favoured the Old Imperial term “Great Britain” to describe our ramshackle, austerity-riddled UK didn’t help, although I will concede that Britain may still be “great” for Sir Richard and his ilk.

However, Dave McEwan Hill’s letter (Letters, May 28) stirred me briefly from my EU-debate-induced torpor.

Dave’s comment that any SNP member who thinks its a good idea to take us out of Europe “needs a good thump on the head” did help to concentrate my thoughts

At the moment, I am minded to abstain which, on reflection, might save my already troubled cranium from a “good thump”.

Then again, might a peely-wally abstention qualify me for a “bad thump”?

Ah, so much to consider, so little time.

Malcolm Cordell
Broughty Ferry, Dundee

WATCHING the Andrew Marr show today, the conundrum of the fudge that devolution is comes in bold, underlined letters. Liam Fox, in campaigning for exit from the EU, says he does not believe in political union. He would appear have changed his mind since 2014, when he vehemently opposed Scotland’s right to not be in a political union. A phrase about geese and ganders comes to mind!

I support our continuing membership of the EU, as the separate and independent Scotland.

The London-centric BBC and the establishment of London are personified by the reporter Amanda Pattel, who refers to the battle of Verdun and the celebrations ringing to English music. I remember Scots, Irish and Welsh soldiers fighting and dying there, so again someone who strongly argued for Scotland to remain in the “family of nations” yet for only the English to celebrate the victories.

Robert Doig
Bo’ness


Counting the human cost of fake goods trade

I WAS interested you read your report on Police Scotland’s battle against counterfeiters, in particular the terrible human cost of this activity (Police play a long game in battle to stamp out fakes, The National, May 28).

It is easy to regard the production of fake goods as a victimless crime, or at least one where the victims are huge corporations that earn massive profits on their high-priced, branded goods. 

Most of those buying fake designer shoes or handbags 

would never be able to afford the real thing, so may reason that the company is not losing any money as a result of fakes being on the market.

However, the fact that vulnerable people are exploited and indeed enslaved in the UK to produce these goods should make us all think twice about the origins of what we buy. Those who buy them are directly contributing to this, and should not be allowed to plead ignorance.

Having said that, some of the items pictured in the “live market” in Glasgow are so ugly and obviously faked that I’m amazed anyone would consider buying them at any price.

Yvonne Smith
Glasgow



Letters II: Indyref2 is imminent regardless of the EU referendum result