I HAVE waited in vain for the response to David Pratt’s excellent article “Westminster lapdogs have lost capacity to bite” (Jul 22). There have been a couple of letters rightly praising his article, but no response to the New Statesman article that David pointed us to: The Politics Of Lies: Boris Johnson And The Erosion Of The Rule Of Law. Did no-one bother to read it?
When I read it, my first thoughts were that this could and should be a game-changer; this article should be put through every letter box in the land. My next thought was, why does it take a foreign journalist to shine a light on the reality we face today? The article itself answers that question.
READ MORE: David Pratt: SNP Westminster lapdogs have lost capacity to bite
No journalist in the British media dares to stick their head above the parapet because it would put their job at risk – and if the government manage to pass their legislation to threaten them with up to 14 years imprisonment for telling the truth, then nothing can ever be questioned.
The mere fact that any government would even consider bringing forward such legislation should strike fear into the heart of everyone who believes in democracy.
England has already surrendered without any opposition, apart from the lone voice of Dawn Butler – and she was denied the right to speak the truth by an antiquated procedure. Speaks volumes about the system we live under. The British media has failed completely to hold this government to account.
READ MORE: Official Secrets Act proposals could see journalists jailed over 'damaging' stories
The article also brings into sharp focus how this present government are trying to demolish the pillars of democracy. The last time Britain’s democracy was attacked was from an external force, but this time the fascist jackboot is on the other foot and the threat lies within – from a cabal of proven corrupt, incompetent liars who are intent on taking total control and spreading the cancer of their invidious philosophy to us all.
As a decrepit octogenarian, I and my generation may not be affected, but we have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and if we do nothing, we may deprive them of the future they should have.
All it takes for bad things to happen is that good people do nothing. We therefore must add our names to David Pratt’s in demanding that those we elected to protect our interests do exactly that. Not by angry words that will just be ignored, but by actions that demonstrate how essential it is that we sever connection with this gang of charlatans masquerading as a government.
It is no longer just about independence but preserving a way of life. It is not Union Jackery we have to fear but Union Jackboot-ery.
PLEASE, MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
William Marshall
Dundee
WHEN will the SNP members start asking pertinent questions of this administration? We have been, and are being, sold down the river by this government. What exactly are they doing to make us ready for independence?
We are making special rules for royalty, jailing people who disagree with the administration – just how many backward steps will we take before the members open their eyes?
The royalty’s lobbying is so unbelievable; why are we allowing a big absentee landowner to have such say over our laws and lands? Looks like someone in our administration is social climbing. We have to fight for free speech for journalists and indeed everyone because otherwise the future is frightening, so please start asking questions and make sure you get answers. We voted this government in to do our bidding, not theirs.
By the way, the answer to most of the drugs question is to fight poverty and achieve employment for the marginalised people of this country. I know it’s not easy but we have had years to make some inroads to solving this problem.
Rosemary Smith
East Kilbride
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel