KEZIA and Henry both suggest a federal constitution, and on the face of it is a sensible idea. But will it ever happen? No, of course not. Why? Westminster will never allow it. But Henry, maybe there is a quicker way to achieve this goal. Don’t be “feart” grab the nettle (you know you really want to) and advocate independence. Then Kezia’s “Better Together” slogan may in fact ring true! But on the basis of two neighbouring sovereign states sitting down as equals to discuss how they can work together for our mutual benefit.
Robin Maclean
Fort Augustus

AS long as Kezia Dugdale and her “Scottish Labour” entourage continue to talk at people rather than truly engage with them, they will not hear the loud message from socialist sympathisers that the only path still open for the Labour party in Scotland is to embrace self-determination, not continue to fight it. This is the same message that Keir Hardie would convey if he was alive today to progress his vision of “Home Rule”.

In the meantime the depressing extent of Labour’s demise is encapsulated in the expressions of some long-term Labour Party supporters who are seemingly now considering voting Conservative in the next General Election. It is an unfathomable irony that some who have persistently rejected the civic nationalism espoused by the SNP now appear willing to vote for the “New Ukip” led by Theresa May, embracing a brand of right-wing nationalism abhorrent to most in Scotland.

Jeremy Corbyn at least appears to be attempting to hang on to his socialist principles, unlike those who would turn a blind eye to the economic and social consequences for Scotland of electing a Tory PM that would push through a “Hard Brexit” or walk away from a trade deal with the EU altogether. Future generations will not forgive such reckless myopia.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
 

AS one who gave my third vote to the Greens in the recent municipal elections I can only say that my disappointment in Patrick Harvie’s careerist decision to stand against Patrick Grady would be an understatement. I am sorry, along with many others, for wasting my vote on issue politics rather than concentrating on independence as a severe priority.

Patrick Grady, an excellent MP, took Glasgow North from Labour with a thumping 9295 majority. Why would Mr Harvie wish to split the vote and possibly let the Labour British Nationalist back in? Maggie Chapman announced that she favoured an electoral alliance in key seats to keep the Tories out. When asked about this on TV Mr Harvie prevaricated and said it was up to individual branches, without informing the interviewer that his own individual branch was after an SNP seat.

All three same Unionist Parties, Lab, Con and Wee Willie’s Inbetweeners, with the help of the mass media, have declared that this election in Scotland is about stopping the SNP, independence, or a referendum and kicking the SNP out of their day jobs of defending the Scottish people from the wrath of the Tories. Their tactical loyalist voters must be delighted Mr Harvie has joined them, by falling into their trap of goading him “to stand up” to the SNP.
Donald Anderson
Glasgow
 

ON May 4 I proudly cast my first-ever vote in the Scottish local government elections. It was a great feeling, knowing that I was helping to contribute to my local area is some way. I must say, though, my mood was dampened somewhat when I remembered that only a month later there shall be another election, in which I will not have a say.

There is no reason why the voting age shouldn’t be lowered to 16. I understand why the right wing is resistant to young people voting, since we so rarely vote for them, but it is unacceptable.

The Scottish Government are leading by example – it’s time for Westminster to follow suit.

I strongly believe that if young people get into the habit of voting early we will see improvements in turnout.

The Scottish referendum saw 75 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds registered voting compared with 54 per cent of 18-24-year-olds. Young people are being outvoted by older generations. The referendums in both Scotland and the UK saw the majority young people on the losing side. We should be doing anything we can to increase turnout from young people, to ensure that the outcome of votes are representative of what all the people want, not just a specific age group.

At 16, Westminster are more than happy to accept our tax, but they deny us a vote. To make this simple, our money is paying for things we have no control over. We can’t even have a vote on what those tax levels will be!

While I appreciate not many 16- and 17-year-olds earn enough to pay tax, it’s the principle. Westminster will use us for our money, but when it comes to hearing our voices, they slam the door in our faces.

I’m fed up of being patronised by the UK Government. I’m angry that my voice doesn’t count at all levels of government. This idea that 16-year-olds can’t make educated, informed decisions on who to vote for is absolutely ridiculous.

In Scotland we have proved that notion wrong, yet Westminster still refuses to give us a vote. What are they so afraid of?
Logan Unwin
Address supplied