IF I had a political wish, I would stop all talk and all discussion within the independence movement of those issues that seem to bedevil some in our movement.
It takes away the vigour that members should be using to energise the upcoming election campaign.
Instead of ignoring some of the intolerable personable attacks on fellow independence activists because of beliefs which they hold, someone within the leadership should have something to say about this behaviour.
READ MORE: I’ve no problem with being called a ‘bitter old man in a hurry’
As far as I am concerned people can hold whatever views they like, but they should be personal to them and if I happen to have an opinion which differs from theirs that’s my prerogative.
Some of our MPs should lead by example. Making fine speeches in parliament and then going on to Twitter to use derogatory language against fellow independence supporters because they hold a different point of view is unacceptable.
The behaviour of some of their fellow travellers who have called for the deselection of some MSPs and MPs who are just as committed to the cause of independence helps the Unionist media. Save your ire for the Unionist establishment.
I also hope to never again witness the negative booing dished out to Christopher McEleny at a recent national conference from a few of those same people who have aligned themselves to another point of view. The response that met Christopher was out of order. He made his point in the manner in which they should have made theirs.
For now, let us draw a line under all the negativity and back-biting on Twitter and the attempt by some to close ranks against Joanna Cherry, as there is a much more important fight to be won in May.
Bill Clark
Fort William
HAD First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delayed the coronavirus pandemic lockdown of Scotland two weeks beyond the date she had the “effective powers” to do so, and as a direct result thousands of lives had been lost (equivalent to tens of thousands in England), then she would have been condemned not only by hostile politicians but by the bulk of the British media.
If, ahead of introducing blanket quarantine measures, the FM had claimed that Scotland would have a “world-beating” test-and-trace app by the end of May around which future strategy would be based but that still had not materialised by the end of July, she would have been widely ridiculed.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf issues warning on quarantine risk to travellers
Had the FM started to ease lockdown measures and two months later nearly another 1000 people had died in Scotland due to Covid-19 (population proportionate to the more than 10,000 people that have died in England during that period), then arguments would have been made to seemingly justify widespread clamouring for the resignation of her Health Secretary.
If, in addition to the aforementioned failings, testing confirmed that Scotland had been averaging more than five Covid-19 deaths per day over the last two weeks while England had averaged zero deaths, then hostile politicians would not be cynically calling for her to suspend daily coronavirus briefings (which are not only clear and informative but have proven welcome across Scotland and beyond), they, along with most of the British media, would be demanding the resignation of the First Minister.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
THE European Council, after one of the longest summits in EU history, recently agreed that alongside its 2021-27 budget of almost a trillion pounds, the Commission will borrow more than £680 billion in the financial markets. This aims to assist member states’ recovery from Covid-19 and will include more than £350bn in grants.
READ MORE: How the European Union made history with its coronavirus recovery deal
The Economic Recovery Package includes grants for rural areas and the higher education sector, as well as environmental projects. Countries’ allocations are based on the projected economic harm resulting from Covid, and Scotland may have received something in the region of £5.4bn. By contrast, the UK Government has allocated only £3.7bn to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As an independent member of the EU, Scotland would clearly have been a major beneficiary from such an arrangement, and yet again the UK’s withdrawal from the EU continues to cost us dear.
Alex Orr
Edinburgh
I’M constantly surprised at how short a memory or indeed morality politicians seem to have, and example George Galloway is proving the archetype.
George Galloway says he is prepared to work with the Tories to gain power in the 2021 elections (Galloway aim is ‘to get SNP out’, July 27). Interviewed by Prospect Magazine on April 28 2014, he was asked: “Would you ever consider working with Better Together to strengthen the No vote? He replied: “If you ever see me standing under a Union Jack shoulder-to-shoulder with a Conservative, please shoot me.”
READ MORE: George Galloway says he will work with Tories to 'get the SNP out'
Now let me be very clear, I do not condone violence in any form, but this statement just highlights the hypocrisy of a man professing to be a socialist.
Instead, as his political career demonstrates, George will tout himself out to whatever votes he thinks he’ll gain. I’d aver my cats (of which George did a great impersonation) have a longer memory span!
Piers Doughty-Brown
Glasgow
WHEN Ruth Davidson is talking about “Putin the boot in”, is she referring to Russian interference in the 2014 Scottish referendum?
Richard Easson
Dornoch
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