Scurrilous claim that SNP supporters are ‘anti-English’ must be challenged

When I moved to Glasgow as a student from my home town in Ayrshire, occasional trips to the local pubs in the “working-class” areas I inhabited as a relatively poor student proved revealing. Not only did I discover first-hand the hospitality of ordinary Glaswegians who insisted on buying a rather apprehensive stranger a drink and engaging in friendly conversation, I also gained an insight into what rankled many of the locals.

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It was not the fact that some of those who engendered a negative reaction were English, or even spoke with an English accent (which probably also applies to a few who identified as Scottish), it was the fact that they arrogantly spoke as if they knew better how “working-class” Glaswegians should run their lives without ever having been confronted with the harsh realities of poverty and deprivation on their own families and on their local communities.

Recent statements by UK Government ministers stating or implying that those on benefits or relying on food banks should go out and get a job also reveals arrogance and ignorance of the fact that many are prevented from working because of physical or mental disabilities, or already have jobs but make use of food banks because their pay does not cover the living costs of their families.

Perhaps those who use the media to spread what in effect are dishonest racist slurs should really have a long, hard look at themselves!

Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian

THERE is a high probability we will soon be running down to a plebiscite General Election, with its less indy-friendly UK electoral register.

Success will depend on appealing to whose who traditionally vote for one of the Unionist parties, particularly those with some current sympathy with the independence case but with an inability to tear themselves away from their life-long attachments.

Would it not be sensible to ensure there were attractive alternatives available to them, perhaps titled Labour/Conservative/LibDem Voters for Independence?

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If all of these parties could be persuaded, along with the SNP, Green, Alba and other obviously independence-supporting ones, could be persuaded to use a strapline such as “Voters for Scottish Independence” as the lead in their manifestos, it would make it clear that every vote cast for any of them was a vote for independence. This would eliminate the likelihood that the UK Government will start arguing that only SNP votes actually count as “real” independence votes.

Obviously there is a risk of splitting the SNP vote, resulting in a few less SNP MPs, but we already know that even if all the Scottish MPs represent independence-supporting parties it will make no difference whatsoever to the UK Government’s position.

None of this can be left to the SNP. It has to be a collaborative effort, coordinated by a group with cross-party credibility.

Cameron Crawford
Rothesay

I DO not care which party, group or alliance gets us to independence. I understand not everyone agrees with the policies, ideals or personalities within the SNP, but it is a fact that they have been voted into power in Holyrood for many years with the stated aim of independence at the party's core.

I suggest that, with as little as 14 months until a referendum, most people would agree that they are the only group with the resources and focused organisational power to drive us forward. However, independence will not be won by any one group, it will be the people of Scotland who come together in unity. If we miss this chance, it will not be the Unionists to blame but ourselves.

J McKenzie
Perth

I HAVE an idea that might help our government deal with the various legal barriers that are currently being faced.

What we should do is join with Ireland to allow each of us to mount a referendum. We could share the admin costs, therefore making it cheaper all round.

The two countries of course would pose different questions to their electorate.

The Scottish question would be along the lines of “do you wish Scotland to be an independent country within Europe?”

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In Ireland, of course, it would be a different and perhaps slightly more complicated question, which might go something like "Do you wish Ireland to leave the EU and join Brexit Britain, once again coming under the rule of a just and fair Westminster government?"

I am joking of course, which is perhaps just as well because there is always the possibility that the Irish government might not take up the suggestion with any degree of enthusiasm!!

Let’s just do it on our own.

Alex Legget
Edinburgh

I NOTE the the auctioneer who sold Sean Connery’s Aston Martin DB5 to an an American buyer was disappointed it didn’t return to Britain, as the sale was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to do so.

Has anyone informed the buyer that they are now forbidden from selling it?

Just wondering.

Carl J Irvine
Inverurie