I WAS wrong to hope that a change in leadership of the LibDems in Scotland might bring about an open and honest debate within the party about Scottish independence.

The probable next leader, Mr Cole-Hamilton, has set out his stall very clearly and will evidently deal with anyone who will stand in the way of independence even to the detriment of Scotland and its people.

I recall an article published in a different paper in the late 1980s reporting on a conference of the Scottish Social and Liberal Democrats as the parties were merging. A motion from the Perth and Kinross branch presented objectives that “if implemented would lead to Westminster’s powers over Scotland withering away ... Scotland’s ultimate future lies as a distinct national entity within the European Community”.

Where did the authors of this and like-minded people in the party go? How did the LibDem party move from this position to become servants of the Tory party and lapdogs of the government in London?

Perhaps the best thing Mr Cole-Hamilton could do for the future of his party would be to repeat the move of 1988 and merge with a like-minded party that can use some extra people. I am sure Douglas Ross is ready to take a call.
Ni Holmes
St Andrews

LIBDEM leadership contender Alex Cole-Hamilton claims Nicola Sturgeon does not have a mandate for indyref2. This coming from the party which is the runt of the litter at both Holyrood and Westminster with only four MSPs at Holyrood and four MPs from Scotland in the House of Commons. You can’t be serious, man.

I think Mr Cole-Hamilton needs to have a credibility check and reflect on the following figures. Holyrood election 2021: SNP secure 64 MSPs; Westminster election 2019: SNP secure 45 MPs. The results speak for themselves and a mandate for indyref2 is secure. The LibDems are yesterday’s news!
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk

AS a coalition of organisations that support vulnerable children and young people, we were delighted to note recent Scottish Government legislation supporting siblings in care to be kept together, where appropriate.

However, over the years a flurry of legislation has been implemented to improve the lives of those who are care-experienced, most recently with these new rules, and yet in many cases this has failed to be upheld.

To ensure such rights are protected, an independent advocate can help individuals access these, the benefits that they are entitled to and guide them through legal processes if that is what is required.

The outcome from the recent Independent Care Review welcomingly pointed to ensuring that by 2024 all care-experienced children and their families will have access to independent advocacy at all stages of their experience of care.

As a nation we must aim to ensure that care-experienced children, young adults and families can navigate the system of care without such extra support. However, advocates will be required for as long as the care system remains complex and does not provide these individuals with the support needed.

If our care system and those with an involvement with care-experienced people are committed to improving their lives – a promise made clear in the Care Review – access to independent advocacy is crucial in delivering this.
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition: Kenny Graham, Falkland House School; Lynn Bell, Love Learning; Stephen McGhee, Spark of Genius; Niall Kelly, Young Foundations

WITH Gaelic very much in the news, as a non-Gaelic-speaking central belt Scot, I love seeing names and places around Scotland written in Gaelic. It’s absolutely fascinating, but at the same time, given the complexities of Gaelic pronunciation, seems inaccessible.

I wonder therefore, if, perhaps in the more public spaces like train platforms etc, it might also be worth including the phonetic pronunciation too. I believe that such passive access just might result in more people having the confidence to start engaging with this lovely language, and who knows, perhaps even politicians might learn how to pronounce their own party’s name!
I Easton
Glasgow

I HAVE written to my MP and MSPs to express my complete horror at the jailing of Craig Murray. This act brings nothing but shame on Scotland and our justice system. Even if one agreed with the charge (I do not), the sentence is completely disproportionate and punitive. For someone to be guilty of jigsaw identification then where are the charges against others who laid down larger pieces of this so-called jigsaw?

I have been a member of Amnesty International for many decades and I am in despair that I am having to write in response to the jailing of a Scottish citizen who in my opinion is a “political prisoner”.
J Marshall
Glasgow