THE BBC’s Reporting Scotland has apparently adopted the tactic of denigrating NHS Scotland, and by implication the Scottish Government and the SNP, through nearly every day seeking out an example of where something has gone significantly wrong. This seemingly distorted approach does not reflect the overall excellent service provided by NHS Scotland to thousands of people every single day.
Whether by design or by accident, this appears to be what has been happening recently in the letters pages of The National through negative comments about the SNP. Of course it is right and proper that Alba supporters and those supporting other independence parties or groups, as well as those who have personal gripes against the SNP leadership, or the party in general, should have a forum in The National to express their views. However, if the overall tone is persistently critical of the SNP, the constructive work of still the most popular independence party is undermined, as are our combined efforts to achieve the independence we all seek.
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The online broadcasts of the SNP conference contained much positive information on the achievements of the SNP and the Scottish Government as well as comparative performance details of the governments in these islands, most of these relative successes unknown to the majority of the Scottish public. The launch of the “Rebuttal Unit” to immediately counter disinformation will hopefully help to redress at least a little of the gross imbalance on independence reporting across the UK media, as well as perhaps provide a more constructive focus for reports and letters in The National.
All who support independence would like to see a “double majority” of seats and votes at the next General Election and if we can all manage to concentrate on that quest while generally supporting the SNP (I am not a member but would encourage all in that party to work enthusiastically with those honestly endeavouring for self-determination across the wider “Yes movement”) in achieving its manifesto goal of a majority of seats, we may actually achieve that further endorsement of a majority of votes (in spite of the orchestrated efforts of the main UK political parties and almost all of the mainstream media to prevent or distract from any serious independence debate).
The SNP strategy to, at the very least, convert a majority of seats into amendments to the Scotland Act that will provide for the transfer of further powers to the Scottish Parliament, including the power to legislate for a constitutional referendum at a time of its choosing, seems reasonable and sound.
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If even this basic transfer were not to be enacted, then the 2026 Holyrood election should become a de facto referendum on independence which, if successful, would provide the Scottish Parliament the democratic authority to immediately commence substantive independence negotiations.
While further actions that may be necessary to realise a successful mandate have not been detailed at this stage, we must endeavour collectively to ensure that Scotland’s independence will follow an explicit mandate for self-determination, with or without a democratically respectful response from the next UK Government.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
WHY does The National continue to give anti-independence Tory MP Lisa Cameron prominent coverage? Why provide her with the space to rubbish both the SNP and the wider independence movement? She’s just another Tory nonentity, not worthy of any further space in The National.
David Howie
Dunblane
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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