I VERY much enjoyed the article by Mr Chi-Hua Ding, director-general of the Edinburgh Taipei Representative Office, in The National last Thursday (Scotland and Taiwan: an alliance of economy and technology based on democracy, June 4), as it showed in sharp profile the uniqueness of Taiwan as a beacon in East Asia regarding its deep-rooted commitment to diversity and democracy.
While Mr Ding rightly highlighted the economic strength of Taiwan, notably in its semiconductor sector, its economic strategy has also much to teach Scotland.
For example, the Taiwanese experience showcases the importance of a strong public and private sector partnership, a crucial focus on education at all levels, and significant state encouragement of the need for small- and medium-sized businesses. These are all specific strategies that Scotland could emulate, pre- and post-independence.
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In addition to this, Taiwan has benefitted greatly from major land reform enacted in the 1950s and prior to that, the introduction of a land value tax in 1949. This latter policy curbed land speculation, captured unearned land value, and redistributed wealth according to the political principles of Chinese Republican Dr Sun Yat-sen, the father of the first Chinese revolution.
The fruits of such vision are shown in the fact that between 1952 and 1982, economic growth was 9% per annum. The Scottish political class, be it SNP, Labour, or the Greens, will ultimately fail the Scottish people unless we can persuade them to consign Scotland’s feudal land laws to the dustbin of history, as the Kuomintang did, and Scottish economic growth will always be sluggish while large tracts of the Highlands and Islands are left to rot as playgrounds for the rich.
Cllr Andy Doig (Independent)
Renfrewshire Council
THE SNP achieved the many seats that they have in Holyrood not because the SNP management suddenly produced an “oven-ready” indyref2 proposal, it was because the competition was so dire. But it was not dire enough to stop many people voting for Labour, Tory, Reform and Green list candidates. Politically, these are desperate times.
As for these All Under One Banner and similar marches, yes, they bring people together in “real life”, people who have been social media “friends and followers” for years. The atmosphere is always fun on steroids, and a great excuse to get drunk by lunchtime. Other than that, these marches serve no purpose.
Marches and gatherings that start in Edinburgh and end at Holyrood make more sense. Given this amazingly inexpensive bus network in Scotland, which is not bad (yeah, you can improve everything and anything, OK!), it’s practical, and the kids and codgers can join in for free.
It’s about focus. Waving a magnifying glass around and peering at stuff close up is fun, but distracting. Focus the magnifying glass on the sun and you can make fire. So it’s all about focus.
By focusing marches and gatherings on Holyrood, the SNP incumbents might realise that the people who pay their wages want them to focus on the day job: Scotland leaving the Union with a fiscally viable, legal, internationally recognised “Document of Independence”, recording that on that date, Scotland will cease to be part of the UK, and hence forward will be known as the Republic of Scotland. Is there a problem with this?
Mike McLaren
Perth
WHILE continuing to be held under Westminster’s jackboot, we cannot run our energy creation and distribution for our own good as the Scotland Act prohibits the Scottish Government from holding an energy brief. But, it does not prohibit a Scottish local government from doing so.
Therefore, I suggest that as local government is the planning authority, they add a caveat to any application relevant to energy being granted only when, along with the usual requirements, 50% of all profits come to the local authority.
Access to company records is stated in the contract. This would ease the hostility of many communities who do not benefit from having these structures in their midst and would aid local government finances to enable them to increase spending on care, transport, general maintenance and other functions in their remit. As AI data centres are a major energy consumer, they would come under the same energy rules as major energy generators. I accept that this would be a starting point with tweaks here and there to reach an ongoing situation.
M Ross
Aviemore
“WHAUR’S Dougie” is the cry following the revelations contained in Peter Mandelson’s messages which exposed the deplorable extent of the sycophancy of the Scotland Secretary. But, it is not just Douglas Alexander who has gone missing; the socialist party that was the original Labour Party no longer exists, even in Scotland.
Paraphrasing John Cleese, the Labour Party in Scotland “are no more – they have ceased to be – they’re expired and gone to meet their maker”.
Before the election, Anas Sarwar claimed that he would defy the opinion polls and become the next first minister, but even his maker would struggle to resurrect any personal standing he previously enjoyed as a leader who could bring about fundamental change.
Labour supporters in Scotland who for whatever reason still shun the Scottish Socialist Party not only need a new leader but a new party that truly reflects the aspirations of the people of Scotland.
Regardless of who will lead Labour at the next General Election, the only light on the horizon for socialist Labour supporters in Scotland is the long-overdue formation of an independent Scottish Labour Party.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
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