FIRSTLY can I say that I think one of the best items in The National at present is James Kelly’s analysis of the Scottish seats in the General Election – an election so unpredictable that only a fool would state its outcome.
Despite the polls indicating a good result in several aspects for the independence case, none of us should be complacent.
I want to address the difference between the General Election of 2017 and the present one. I think the SNP were unprepared for the suddenness of the one in 2017, alongside a certain complacency after their election tsunami of 2015, and a possibility that 2017 came too soon after 2014. Those conditions are not a factor today.
READ MORE: James Kelly's General Election analysis
Other realities back then include a damaging effect resulting from the constant Tory Unionist refrain of “no to a second independence referendum”. As regards the Labour party, they benefited from the Corbyn “bounce” which activated old Labour loyalties while their Scottish leader’s call for voters to support any candidate who could defeat the SNP one also had an effect. Circumstances today are entirely different. 1) Ruth Davidson is gone (well, almost), 2) The Corbyn “bounce” is a distant memory, and Labour in Scotland now have an even weaker leader, and 3) the new LibDem leader is losing her shine.
Crucially, apart from the above, there is awareness now by our people of the disastrous mess that Brexit has become and that our nation and its elected representatives have been ignored, insulted, laughed at and dismissed, and many are beginning to realise that it is only the SNP that will fight for and defend our interests against a Boris Johnson government, should that be the outcome.
Above is a mere overview. Underlying it are many other decisive factors, with probably more still to arise in this election.
Bobby Brennan
Glasgow
YOUR Friday front page headline, “Unionists in desperate bid to halt SNP”, together with the report “Tactical voting site the latest trick from desperate Unionists”, is excellent news for the SNP. The fact that a former Labour MP is encouraging Labour voters to vote Conservative is an indication of the success Nicola Sturgeon has had in her TV appearances where she was head and shoulders above Messers Corbyn, Johnson and Swinson.
I am not surprised that Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, both standing in English constituencies, are preaching policies which will damage Scotland. Perhaps it is in the hope of increasing their vote. Why Jo Swinson, standing in a Scottish constituency, is supporting them beggars belief.
I cannot believe her constituents are unaware of the damage that a Tory government could inflict on the Scottish people.
If, as pedalled by the Unionist parties, Scotland is a huge financial burden that has been carried by Westminster, obviously when Scotland becomes an independent nation and that burden is shed Westminster would have a massive surplus.
Or have I missed something?
Thomas L Inglis
Fintry
I SUSPECT I am one of many sick to death of the “once in a generation”, “once in a lifetime” mantra which seems to be central to the Unionists’ promise to stop an independence referendum. Unionist politicians deliberately pretend these are not figures of speech to denote an important and rare opportunity, one not to be missed, and are to be taken as literal promises – well, was “out of the EU by October 31, do or die” another figure of speech, or were we to take this literally? Johnson has not done, and he isn’t dead – two more promises broken.
Dr John Moore
Dumfries
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