Many older Scots are still loyal to the Labour party of their youth

I am of the opinion that some of our generation have a deep-seated, inherent loyalty to the Labour party. A lot of us were reared in aspiring working-class families, whose parents wanted a better life for us. They believed Labour would do it for us and Labour did, to a certain extent. So now, we, the children of that generation, are educated, many are middle-class and lots still retain that shared loyalty to the party and to our parents. It is a loyalty that has been passed on from generation to generation.

READ MORE: Ruth Wishart: Backing No will deny young Scots the kind of lives we have enjoyed

And then there is the Catholic factor. The Irish economic migrant trusted that their best interests were better served by Labour, and indeed this is evidenced by the many Catholics who became prominent in the Labour party and the trade union movement.

My mother listened to Jennie Lee as a child and went on to become a member of the Independent Labour Party. There was no trust in the Tories, nor was there security with the SNP, whom they considered Scottish Tory and, dare I say it, too Protestant.

The Irish Scot perceived the SNP to be allied to the Kirk, which, as we know, once recommended that the Irish should be repatriated. And of course Scottish tolerance for Orangeism feeds into that narrative. So safer to be part of a larger Britain than risk the effects of sectarianism within a smaller Scotland.

A friend of mine recently informed me that she was impressed by “my “ Nicola Sturgeon and by the way she has steered the country during this pandemic. I will quote the rest of her conversation: “she should join Labour and take the lead and become the Prime Minister of Britain.She would be brilliant for us all.”

Now how do you crack that nut? I am still speechless!

Kate Reid
Edinburgh

Reading a regular column by a journalist of Ruth Wishart’s excellence and experience is a genuine pleasure and in sharp contrast to much of the sensationalist, fact-free fare offered by other news publications (Backing No will deny young Scots the kind of lives we have enjoyed, September 21).

Ms Wishart’s recent article on why people we may refer to euphemistically as “on the wrong side of 50” may still appear reluctant to embrace Scottish independence is informative, witty and thought-provoking. In recent polls older Scots are by far the demographic group most likely to vote against independence, for a variety of reasons that Ruth Wishart explores in her piece.

Whilst it may be accurate to say that some of this group will never accept the need for an independent Scotland due to genuine apprehension regarding their financial situation, identity dilemmas or a slavish obedience to the right-wing media, it is nevertheless possible in my recent experience that many are beginning to view the possibility of independence with a more open mind.

As Ms Wishart observes, the uncertainty of the Brexit process and the disastrous handling of the pandemic by Westminster have led to a reappraisal of long-held beliefs and political mantras. The incoherent and chaotic premiership of Boris Johnson has raised grave doubts about the national and international position of the UK, and introspective older Scots are now questioning their own position within the Union.

In any campaign for independence there must be a transparent guide to the advantages of remaining in an independent Scotland for older people. This should begin by emphasising the advantages of living presently in a devolved Scotland and enjoying the benefits of free prescriptions, free bus travel, winter heating allowance and funeral support payments, to name a few.

The Scottish public should be reminded that the current UK state pension is the lowest proportionally in Europe and that this would change in an independent Scotland, helping our older citizens to enjoy and not dread their autumn years.

Ruth Wishart rightly reminds us all that the way we vote next year will almost surely determine the kind of Scotland we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in. The choice between an increasingly right-wing state under the thrall of a pernicious and reckless English nationalism or a socially democratic country that places equality and inclusion before individual profit seems clear. The message must be similarly intelligible to our more mature Scots, of whom I include myself, if we are to achieve independence in our lifetimes.

Owen Kelly
Stirling

I ALWAYS enjoy Ruth Wishart’s articles, but this is the best yet! I’ve cut it out to show all my baby boomer friends! Thank you.

Ann Leitch
via email

EACH and every Unionist politician has made it more than apparent that any request from our Holyrood government for a Section 30 order to hold another referendum on Scottish emancipation will be refused without contemplation, or consideration, simply because they know what the result will be and it’s not the one Westminster wants.

Let’s face it, Cameron only permitted it last time because he was convinced of a No vote!

Given this circumstance, then, what legal brains, within the independence camp can elucidate how Scotland can, as a country and within the constraint of International Law, withdraw from the 1707 Treaty of Union and commence self-government?

Ned Larkin
Inverness