JUST over a year ago Boris and co were rightly lambasted by the medical community and the Scottish Government for their “herd immunity” theories. A week may be a long time in politics but it seems a year also brings about policy changes.

As so-called Freedom Day approaches, Covid infection numbers spiral to a level above that which demanded a full lockdown only a few months ago. Government policy, both UK and in the devolved nations, is now clearly herd immunity with the addition of a hope that vaccine numbers will keep the infected members of the herd from getting so sick they will need hospital treatment and possibly even die.

The pub owners, travel agents, airport owners and the organisers of large venue events, including football, have won the day. The furlough money is about to run out. Government needs to get the workers back to work earning taxes, to pay for the fiasco which has been the Covid response to date.

The thousands of deaths, many in our care homes, are to be forgotten. The UK Government’s rich friends are considerably richer, and have by now stashed away their PPE contract loot in the Cayman Islands (other tax havens are available). Billions of pounds have been effectively stolen by some who took full advantage of government loan schemes. The magic money tree is looking decidedly bare.

Boris, Nicola, Mark and whoever ends up FM of Northern Ireland must have their fingers very firmly crossed that the vaccine can continue to save most of us and that a new vaccine-resistant variant is not on the horizon, or in a passenger on a plane heading into Heathrow when air travel opens up again.

Glenda Burns
Glasgow

I AM normally a big fan of Lesley Riddoch and whilst I would agree with much of the content of her article, “Tories to surf the wave of England win to put pressure on Labour leader” (Jul 1), her derisory rhetoric when criticising the English football team and Boris Johnson in particular, makes me somewhat cynical of her motives and question as to whether Lesley would use such tactics if writing for The Scotsman or The Times.

Pat Kane’s article of last week contrasts with Lesley’s tone, which could be construed as somewhat inflammatory and derisory, from my perspective anyway. I would question how a “soft” Yes supporter of indyref2 reading Lesley’s piece would view it, compared to Pat’s more conciliatory article .

Convincing the doubters regarding the benefits of an independent Scotland is fraught with many pitfalls and its advocates must endeavour to limit the numbers of its “own goals”, in current football parlance! Even the First Minister can fall victim to this trap herself when she tweets to congratulate the English football team, before noting Scotland were the only team they couldn’t whup. Tongue in cheek maybe, but still likely to niggle so no need for that comment!

It is obvious that the Tories have well and truly captured the Labour Red Wall, and there appears to be no holding them back now. English nationalism, the flag of St George, Brexit and the success of the English football team in the Euros competition has rendered the Labour Party much of a lost cause.

So the mantle of English nationalism has been taken over by the Tory party in an unstoppable tsunami of what is now looking like a potential one-party state; call it what you will. Until a political party emerges in England that’s willing to represent all of the now disenfranchised Remainer electorate, fighting on a dedicated anti-Brexit/rejoin Europe platform, nothing can stop them.

Should the Scots not seize this moment (with such uncertainty) to their advantage, and purposely pander to this English nationalism? Refrain from insult, derogatory and derisory rhetoric; after all we can see that in truth the people are already way ahead in thinking, compared to the English political elite; the majority of English would probably welcome an independent England and Scotland.

And so continue to adopt Pat Kane’s positive approach: show support and goodwill for England’s football and nationalist pride (you don’t have to agree with Brexit or of how they run their country after all!) It could in fact “be good for indy”. Maybe worth thinking about, Lesley.

Dave Finlay
Falkirk

MATT Hancock is gone, but is anyone really surprised? He was always Boris Jonson’s poodle and fall guy in waiting, just being kept in storage for the time when he could be sent packing to take some of the heat off his boss.

The real reason for his going was certainly not because of any marital indiscretions (just imagine Boris sacking anyone for that!), nor for lining up his mistress for a government post.

It was not because he breached any ministerial codes or lied to parliament, nor was it due to his handing out lucrative government contracts (our money!) to mates or Tory party donors who had little or no experience in delivering the desired outcomes of such expenditure. His general incompetence would not even have been considered as part of the equation!

No – he went because a lot of the dirt that would have surfaced if his activities were subject to any sort of public scrutiny would inevitably have stuck to the Prime Minister himself . Hancock’s policy and financial decisions must surely have had the direct approval of either or both the Prime Minister and Chancellor.

Mr Johnson’s loyalty to colleagues would certainly have been overstretched by such an occurrence. Anyway, he is gone. He has done “the right thing” so no need for any further investigation. Mr Johnson will no doubt consider “the matter closed”.

Alex Leggatt
Edinburgh

I HAVE a suggestion for Douglas Skoyles (Letters, June 30) on the subject of countering the dishonest meme “Better Together”. Try changing it to “Battered Together”. That encapsulates the real truth.

Ian McQueen
Dumfries