DEAR Gordon Brown,

I can’t understand why you fear 50 years of conflict between Scotland and England. As far as I know the two countries are not at odds with one another. Like the north of England and Cornwall and Wales (and Northern Ireland?), many folk in Scotland think successive governments have spent a disproportionate amount on the area around London and have ignored their needs – indeed, not even listening to suggestions.

If Labour is to be the party of solidarity it’s not enough to be talking about empathy, reciprocity, co-operation and sharing.

Where was solidarity when the gap widened between rich and poor over the last 30 years, or when food banks proliferated and austerity programmes flourished?

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Where was Labour when weapons of mass destruction were situated within spitting distance of the largest city in Scotland?

What forms of reciprocation are appropriate for all the toxic waste accumulating on the sea bed due to the Ministry of Defence leaving stuff behind?

Where was co-operation to increase the development of renewable energy?

The vaccine programme is admirable but the government’s lack of action led to the large numbers of infection so it’s merely mopping up its own mess.

Perhaps people would believe promises if they hadn’t had the experience of so many broken ones.

Call out the government. Campaign to abolish the unelected House of Lords and replace it with elected representatives. (Perhaps not as many as the current 800 or so. That’s a bit excessive, especially with their expenses and subsidised restaurants.)

Do something about cronyism and tell the public how the Chancellor is helping big business to avoid the tax man. Perhaps then your words will carry a bit more weight and we’ll know that actions matter as well as promises.

S Guz
Dundee