I WATCHED the US presidential debate – there was not very much debate but I was so sorry for the vast majority of Americans who are so dismayed and disheartened by the performance of what is supposed to be the two best persons America has to put forward for the post of president.
Later I watched PMQs in Westminster and now not only am I dismayed for Americans but also for all of us in these nations who are disgusted by the lack of answers from Boris Johnson and the Trumpian rhetoric Johnson uses towards Keir Starmer – most of his answers are taken up with throwing insults to any opposition shown.
READ MORE: PMQs: Ian Blackford accused by Boris Johnson of 'fomenting grievance'
He refuses to answer questions, and is clearly out of his depth since the only time he can respond properly is when he is agreeing with the Tory member praising something or other or acknowledging his braying supporters.
Lindsay Hoyle spoke of the contempt the Tories show to the Westminster Parliament – it is only a tiny amount compared to the contempt they show to the Scottish National Party when they rise to their feet and ask questions, or the Scottish Government when they try to get answers to questions. Boris Johnson can barely keep his face straight when answering questions from any opposition.
The whole shambles is needing brought into 21st century and the PM and ministers need to answer questions when asked in detail. Whether or not we like the answers is immaterial – they should still be provided. What is taking place just now is a travesty.
Winifred McCartney
Paisley
KEVIN McKenna is right to say that far more needs to be done to counter poverty and income inequality, and that should be a top priority (SNP infighting the biggest threat to party in face of weak opposition, September 30).
He is wrong to suggest that one way to do that is to drop other equality policies including the Hate Crime Bill and reform of the Gender Recognition Act.
Those polices affect communities who are also disproportionately likely to be living in poverty, including minority ethnic communities, disabled people, and trans people. The income discrimination that they and many others face needs to be addressed head-on, but that is not incompatible with also providing them with effective protection from hate crime.
READ MORE: Kevin McKenna: SNP infighting the biggest threat to party in face of weak opposition
Authoritarian and anti-democratic leaders around the world have always claimed that they will help people living in poverty, so long as they are the right kind of people, while at the same time scapegoating minorities who they consider to be the wrong kind of people.
In a world of increasingly divisive politics, we should be on our guard against that.
Mr McKenna is also right to support Nicola Sturgeon’s condemnation of misogynistic
abuse in politics, although he contrasts her position with the tradition of robust street-level political debate. Hateful abuse of political opponents, and violent or other threats against them, are another trademark of authoritarian regimes, and the First Minister is right to call them out as unacceptable.
Tim Hopkins
Director, Equality Network
I MUST comment Kevin McKenna’s article in yesterday’s edition. It encapsulates the frustration felt by many ordinary supporters of independence. It seems that the SNP hierarchy is now dominated by political luvvies for whom independence is a but a sideshow.
For them it is more important to be seen favouring whatever political fad is current in the wine bar salons that they seem to frequent. The things that matter for the common five-eighths are treated as an inconvenient irrelevance.
In the past couple of years too much political capital has been expended on such indulgence.
Where is the action, for example, on tenancy reform, land access and planning reform, where positive action seems to be avoided in deference to vested interests?
There are other things that are also more in need of attention than the apparent priorities.
The current irrelevance of the main opposition parties is no excuse for their present behaviour and the vilification of those who vent valid criticism. Long-term, such attitudes can only spell disaster, as the rank-and-file support will fade as it is seemingly ignored.
Drew Reid
Falkirk
IN your article on the increase in coronavirus infections in South Uist, you have an accompanying picture of Castlebay on Barra (Island case toll doubles overnight, September 29). Why? They are two completely different islands!
It’s as if someone has just thought “Oh, will just stick in any photo of somewhere in the Western Isles. No-one will know the difference”. Well some of us do, and it does matter to islanders who are proud of their individual identities. It’s on a level of calling Britain England, thinking “Oh no-one will know the difference”. Come on National, we expect more care and accuracy from you in relation to Scotland!
Crìsdean Mac Fhearghais
Dùn Eideann
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