I LISTENED to Rishi Sunak blithely and arrogantly dismiss “democracy” (Rishi Sunak says it is ‘reasonable’ to consider blocking gender legislation, Dec 23).

It is beyond despicable to listen to this man and his minions petulantly treating devolution and democracy like a game. When the game’s not going their way, they employ the age-old Tory and establishment spoilers.

Westminster PLC (perfect loathing for competition) at work again: “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to.”

They may as well abolish Holyrood and be done with it (which is what they’d really like to do) since it is fast becoming just a vehicle for Tory and Unionist malign projections of displeasure at their own malfeasances and dysfunctions.

They have to take it out on something. What better a target than the “whippersnapper” SNP/Scottish Government?

I am sceptical of this legislation – not its intentions – and many by all accounts are not happy with a number of its constituent aspects (which Sunak alights upon as “lots of people ... in Scotland” with the usual vague allusion – it’s about England) but this is not about Scotland or even substance, it’s about its democratic instalment.

Like all legislation, it is grounded in democratic debate and installation by the appointed representatives of the electorate. In the event of it proving unworkable in some elements, it can be reviewed, reformed or even repealed, but that is for the Scottish electorate and parliament to decide, not subjective individuals inimical to the existence of Holyrood which it wants to be seen and not heard.

Unfortunately for Sunak and his minions, Holyrood is being heard too much for their liking. Why it’s almost like a government in waiting – it’s bad enough with Labour. That’s what Westminster is intending – make ‘em wait.

Look at it this way folks, the Tories are your government, like it or not. The burning question is do you like it? If you do then “shut up and go away” – like Gavin Williamson’s diplomatic advice. Scots have to sound off.

Ronald Bowie

via thenational.scot

THIS is what happens when Britnats in London think Sturgeon doesn’t have the nerve or the desire to fight for independence. This is the time to prove them wrong. There is still time – just – for the SNP leadership in Holyrood to change its hesitant course for the benefit of all in Scotland.

If Scotland-haters like Sunak and his ilk block the democratic will of Holyrood (no matter how controversial that will is), Sturgeon must order all SNP MPs to permanently withdraw from the Westminster cesspit. Anything else in the face of blatant Britnat bullying will rightly be seen as capitulation and open the way for England to shut down Scotland’s parliament.

Show to the world just how undemocratic and anti-Scottish Westminster really is.

Bernard Stewart

via thenational.scot

I WATCHED on live TV the last hour or so of the gender debate in the Scottish Parliament. I eventually breathed a sigh of relief at the announcement of the final vote, not because the Government won – the outcome was never in doubt – but simply because the process had at last reached some form of conclusion.

There were passionate arguments on both sides. The battle will now move to the courts, where a small army of lawyers will be more than ready to charge very large fees to continue the debate. There is already talk of the UK Government seeking to intervene and declare the legislation unlawful.

You have to admire the efforts of the small band of trans activists and their lobbyists who have managed to fully capture the attention and resources of the Scottish Government for a considerable period of time. A small trans tail has managed to wag the Scottish Government dog.

As with all new legislation, time will tell if the fears of its opponents come to pass. At best we can only hope that they do not.

Now that 16-year-olds will soon be able to change their sex and that proposals are in the pipeline to allow them to become councillors, MSPs and even MPs, should they not also be able to purchase fireworks, alcohol, tobacco, drive a car, even apply for a credit card? Anything less would surely be blatant discrimination.

Iain Wilson

Stirling

THE people of Scotland are sovereign as long as it’s OK with Alister Jack (Alister Jack threatens to block Royal Assent of gender reforms, Dec 23).

Keep in mind that this is almost certainly the person who would decide the date of a Holyrood election resulting from the parliament being unable to appoint a First Minister within 28 days.

John Jamieson

South Queensferry

“JACK indicated that the UK Government would go as far as blocking the bill from being given Royal Assent if it doesn’t fit with UK-wide legislation”.

As far as I can see, there is absolutely nothing in Scotland’s GRR which doesn’t “fit” with English legislation.

It’s all scaremongering in my opinion. Our job will be to anticipate what, if anything, is the “spanner in the works” by which Alister Jack thinks he can stop it, and be prepared to retaliate!

Rebekah Gronowski

via thenational.scot

WHY are journalists not highlighting the terrible plight of Julian Assange? We now live in a world where nobody seems to care about the cruelty dished out by our government.

This man has suffered enough for trying to bring truth to the world and has been betrayed by fellow journalists. Please take stand against this cruelty.

Rosemary Smith

East Kilbride