JOHN Nicholson MP, of the SNP, introduced the so-called Turing Bill to cancel many thousands of convictions of gay men for historic acts which are no longer criminal. Many of these men are still alive today. He did this with all-party support, the Bill was not controversial, and was seen by most MPs as kindly intentioned and just.
However, on Friday, it was voted down by the combined ranks of the Tory Party, urged on by their whips. Later in the press office Tory ministers admitted that they would not, on principle, allow a Bill sponsored by the SNP to pass, regardless of its merits.
It was the same with the Smith Report, when every one of hundreds of amendments suggested by the SNP was similarly voted down by the Tories, although there were many which were totally non-partisan and were simply for clarification.
The contempt with which the government holds our MPs, and Scotland, is clear to see on a daily basis.
Incidentally, I have not heard any comment from Ruth Davidson on this vote although she is usually ready enough to attack the SNP on any occasion.
James Duncan
Edinburgh
If we’re talking mandates, let’s start with Lords
NEVER a dull read with oor ginger dug (Who said Andrea Leadsom was plain crackers?, The National, October 22). But what gets me on political mandates is the fact that this saga about to have a mandate or not to have a mandate (as the Bard would have it), has not been applied to that ignoble Hoose of Lords and Ladies.
All present (800 plus) were invited to bide in that “other place” by various Westminster prime ministers over a good many years, as a hug and thanks for supplying the government of the day with millions of pounds sterling. Of course, this is what those benefactors were hoping for, or at least a member of that other ignoble team of warriors, the knights of the realm.
Where on earth did the mandate come from to squeeze all those barons and baronesses on to the red leather seating arrangement of the daft-named “other place”? Heaven help the toilet arrangements there. No elections held either in Westminster or without. Even Scotland has had to provide a few club members without so much as by your leave from the citizens of Scotland or its representative government.
Mrs May needs to git her ain hoose in order first afore she starts telling Scotland what to dae, and tae tell that wee apprentice o’ hers by the name o’ Ruth tae dae likewise.
Magnus
Fife
WELL, roll out the biscuit barrel. And add patriotic cheers all round for the wee ginger snaps that the Wee Ginger Dug targeted to great effect in Saturday’s National, against the Brexit odds and sods brigade and their latest bit of buffoonery.
In other words, their cunning plan to sweeten our lives outside the EU by exporting... tea and biscuits.Ye gods, you couldn’t make it up, unless you’re Minister of State Andrea Leadsom, of course. Or possibly Boris, depending which side he speaks for on a given day. Brigadier Theresa, our unelected PM, certainly likes to hobnob with EU leaders – for public edification.
But will she edify us today while taking tea and biscuits with Nicola Sturgeon and others, or simply defy us with waffle, spin and disregard? A final notion: after Madame May’s evasive response to the idea of Brexit negotiations in French, why not call her the Jamais Dodger?
Jack Newbigging
Irvine
WITH reference to the letter by Catriona C Clark (October 21) concerning the members of the House of Lords: if it were possible to put the members in to their deserving categories by changing the robes and ermine to suitable colours according to there accomplishments, we would then know why they were there (not many would be honourable I am sure). This ridiculous remnant is a monument to a decadent empire and could be replaced by an elected second house. The money saved could go towards the billions of pounds which will be spent on the expensive dormitory where the members sleep. What might be a better way is to let the whole mausoleum collapse round their ears, thus saving all of us a fortune.
James Ahern
East Kilbride
IN David Davis’s reported comments that “it is hard to see how a separate immigration policy would work for any part of the kingdom”, there is that little word hard again. For hard, read: “I do not know how it would work”. Single market access for Scotland might necessitate the devolution of immigration powers, and with it some form of border controls.
However, I would suggest that the Scottish Government will require to provide detailed policy on the workings of this issue if there is to be the basis for meaningful negotiations.
Peter Gorrie
Edinburgh
PROFESSOR Joe Goldblatt’s letter (The National, October 22) could be summed up as “motherhood and apple pie”. Who, after all, is going to disagree with the sentiment “I support peace in the Middle East”? Had there been a statement regarding the illegal (and expanding!) settlements in the occupied territories by a nuclear-armed expansionist state, then I might have given his long letter some credence. Such sentiments are regularly expressed, backed up by actions, by that courageous organisation Jewish Voices for Peace. As it is, until I see some evidence of his acknowledgement of the crimes visited upon the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees both within the occupied territories and in Gaza, I’ll reserve my judgement on his organisation.
Andrew Sanders
Glasgow
IT is with great sadness that I bring you the news that John Ainslie, co-ordinator of Scottish CND for over 25 years, passed away on Friday October 21.
John made a remarkable contribution to Scottish CND and the wider peace movement during his lifetime. He produced outstanding reports which made the case against nuclear weapons in a way which carried authority and respect across the political spectrum.
John ran the Scottish CND office for many years and he was a tireless organiser of events and activities all aimed at making the case for a nuclear weapons-free world.
Scottish CND and the wider peace movement have today lost a massively influential figure and friend who will be sadly missed.
We are immensely grateful to John for his intellectual vigour, organisational and strategic skills, and sheer commitment he gave to our organisation over so many years.
Arthur West
Chair of Scottish CND
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