I COULDN’T disagree more with Alec Ross (A Tory-free Scotland is neither achievable nor desirable, Letters, Mar 21). A Scotland free of this present Tory party is not only desirable, it is essential, both for the health of society and the preservation of democracy. Just as necessary as getting rid of these Tories is ridding Scotland of their poisonous and hateful ideology, an ideology that has broken Britain, destroyed its major institutions and clings to power by a recipe of hate and the demonisation of foreigners. This present Tory party has nothing positive to offer anyone, never mind Scotland; its entire programme is dystopian negativity.
Alec tells us that there is a fairly strong right-of-centre political thought in Scotland, but I sincerely hope that he is not implying that the present Tory party – a party of unbridled cruelty, greed, and rapacity – falls into that category. There is nothing remotely centrist about today’s Tory party: a party that has abandoned decency, that governs only for a select few and is devoid of a moral or ethical compass; a party that has designated food banks as not only normal but desirable; a party that openly breaks both domestic and international law; and a party that has effectively abandoned the sick, poor and disabled.
READ MORE: UK Government 'putting more people into poverty', top Scottish writer says
Of course there will be a strong and active right-of-centre presence in an independent Scotland but it will hopefully be one purged of the cruelty and indifference of the modern Conservative Party.
In order to achieve that, it is both vital and necessary that the Tories and their loathsome ideology are badly beaten to the point of humiliation. They must experience total rejection to the point that threatens their very existence as a party. It is the only way conservative-minded people will pause to reflect and change; we must never underestimate the conservative proclivity for arrogance and entitlement and their incapacity for self-reflection, which will have to be forced on them by a recognition of the damage they have inflicted and loathing they have engendered, and that can only happen by their destruction at the polls.
Just as the disaster of Brexit was necessary and continues to be necessary to make Brexiteers realise their stupidity, so is the necessity of a disaster for the Tories and their threatened demise in Scotland for them to realise their profound callousness and indifference to decency and integrity.
READ MORE: It ‘doesn’t matter who’s at helm of Tory sinking ship’ at election
Alec tells us that there will be no Unionist parties in an independent Scotland. That is naivety in the extreme. If we gain independence on a Thursday, on Friday morning the Unionist elements in Scotland will be actively plotting a campaign for a return to Westminster as soon as possible, in league with a Unionist media who will propagandise against an independent Scotland with a ferocity that will take your breath away.
I am in my eighties and never in my lifetime have I seen a politician with such hatred for Scotland and its people as Penny Mordaunt, the favourite as the next Tory leader. I ask all who may agree with Alec to reflect on Scotland’s future if we take a conciliatory approach to today’s Tories and welcome them to participate in deciding Scotland’s future. If you do welcome them, you must hate your children and grandchildren.
Peter Kerr
Kilmarnock
HONESTY seems in decline, and worldwide dishonesty appears to be booming. “Trump’s Scots golf course could be seized within days”, reports The National. It suggests to me that to help with the forthcoming White House election, justice procedures in the United States can be circumvented at the swing of a club. Justice in the hands of cash, a hole in one for those with plenty of the “readies” to turn old-fashioned honesty into a gambling casino.
Iain R Thomson
Strathglass
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
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel