He appears unaware of why he noticed so few individuals daring to overtly have fun the coronation or show the Union Flag when passing via Possilpark and Maryhill for the All Beneath One Flag (AUOB) independence march, whereas claiming a doubtful determine of 15,000 attendees ( ide at 5,000) and quotes one attendee: “You may’t beat a little bit chaos and riot on coronation day, are you able to huge man?”
Perhaps, simply possibly, most law-abiding Scots bear in mind the divisive, bitter referendum that pitted neighbor towards neighbour, divided households and buddies, we bear in mind the torch and pitchfork mobs across the BBC as Alex Salmond was requested uncomfortable questions by the BBC’s Nick Robinson; even now we now have former Westminster SNP chief Ian Blackford venting his bitter fury on reporters who requested the innocuous query why the brand new Westminster SNP chief had not been knowledgeable of the occasions. We bear in mind Labour’s Jim Murphy being hit with an egg as he tried to specific his views on the advantages of unity inside the UK.
Mr McKenna is capturing from the sidelines and provides no higher different, both changing the monarchy with an equally privileged layer of different privileged excessive heid yins, or changing the Westminster parliament with a mini model of the very same events now in Holyrood. It’s also fascinating to see and listen to the transformation of the fickle, shallow mind-set of the supporters of independence from the SNP into the soon-to-be new, contemporary, cuddly celebration for independence.
Allan Thompson, Bearsden.
Learn extra: ‘Sure advocates have their very own type of grandeur’
A slapping perspective
HUMZA Yousaf is actually attempting to be Nicole Sturgeon’s “continuity candidate”. He continues the SNP’s latest custom of not taking notes or recording conferences (“Hague casts doubt on FM’s missed homosexual marriage vote”, The Herald, Might 9).
This appears to be an all too frequent method of the SNP. It casts critical doubt on his capability to barter on essential points if he takes such a stand with no splash. Neglect the thought that these politicians ought to ever attempt to set up an actual try at an independence referendum. It could have extra holes than Swiss cheese and would simply reduce into ribbons.
Is an SNP authorities with Inexperienced “assist” actually the perfect Scotland can do?
Dr. Gerald Edwards, Glasgow.
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The SNP should reject the Greens
Over the previous few weeks, I’ve been more and more disturbed by the dominance of the Scottish Authorities by the Inexperienced Get together, culminating within the newest laws on Extremely Protected Marine Areas (HPMA).
I’ve been a member of the SNP since 1994 and was a councilor for a similar interval. The most recent controversial legislation to be applied stems from one other ill-conceived proposal by the Greens. We had the Gender Recognition Reform Act, adopted by a deposit refund system and, as well as, a ban on alcohol sponsorship which won’t come into power elsewhere within the UK. HPMA, the newest blunder by the Greens-influenced Scottish Authorities, guarantees yet one more catastrophe.
I applaud the MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Fergus Ewing, for tearing up the HPMA doc, as will these in affected coastal areas (“Ex-rural affairs minister rips controversial fishing ban plan to shreds”, The Herald, Might 3). So long as they pay homage to the Greens, the SNP is headed for electoral catastrophe.
Robert McIntyre, Rothesay.
Independence is important
EVEN with the SNP’s present difficulties, which will likely be resolved, there was a rise in celebration membership by greater than 2,700. With transparency in thoughts, that is 74,889 members and rising.
To this point, the Scottish Unionist events have refused to launch membership figures, maybe out of embarrassment. Moreover, the small Alban independence celebration is believed to have extra members than the Scottish Tories.
Independence is just not “on the again burner” and is certainly important for Scotland to progress and flourish. This may develop Scotland’s large potential for renewable vitality, together with the wind, hydrogen and low-carbon thermal sectors, maintaining Scotland on the forefront of Europe and the world.
Grant Frazer, Newtonmore.
Learn extra: Giving up Trident would make little distinction to Scotland’s funds
Crushing freedoms
ARRESTS on suspicion that they had been about to commit an offense towards public order and peace, denial of permission to vote with out an ID card, imposition of stricter restrictions to suppress strikes. That is Britain in the present day.
Each little brick in that wall builds an impediment that makes it tough to take motion on contentious points.
A authorities celebration that claims to imagine in particular person freedom appears to oppose the communitarian motion of any group that would produce some social disruption within the pursuit of justice.
There’s a whiff of hypocrisy in all of this to make sure that protests change into toothless as each controversial coverage is pushed via the mercy of the federal government majority.
The institution of powers for the police to stop them from taking disruptive motion will create much more mistrust between the general public and police authorities, making the police pay for the consent that Britain as soon as prided itself on.
These measures make life simpler for the Authorities in adopting insurance policies which might be opposite to the general public’s expectations, comparable to lowering the state, curbing employees’ rights and immunities, and make it awkward to prepare any public opposition to such developments.
Dennis Bruce, Bishopbriggs.
Have you ever seen a Marxist recently?
I WAS disturbed to be taught from Neil Mackays article (“Household, religion and flag new Tory weapon towards SNP”, The Herald, Might 4) that distinguished parts inside the Conservative Get together need to introduce far-right American politics (and an alien faith). within the UK. So I undertook additional on-line analysis into Nationwide Conservatism (NatCon).
I realized that NatCons see nationwide conservatism as one of the simplest ways ahead for a democratic world within the face of a rising China overseas and a robust New Marxism at residence. How just lately have any of your readers encountered an lively Marxist? I can solely assume that like Suella Braverman, Liz Truss and Jacob Rees-Mogg, to call just a few, any citizen who doesn’t share their dangerously right-wing views on politics and faith is a left-wing extremist.
It’s mentioned that the true nature and intentions of everyone seems to be revealed by the society through which they discover themselves. So, within the case of NatCon, I submit the title of Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian Prime Minister, the inventor of intolerant Christian democracy who was the visitor of honor on the 2020 NatCon convention in Rome. Mr Orbn is thought for calling on Donald Trump to return to workplace in a speech to US Republicans and their European allies in Budapest, arguing that their shared model of hard-right populism is on the rise world wide.
John Milne, Uddingston.
Buffer zone skinny finish of wedge
TRADE UNIONS can picket on the entrance to their office throughout a strike, which they’ve each proper to do, by legislation, though non-union members could really feel uncomfortable/uncomfortable going to their office via a column (part 11 of the Human Rights Act 1998 Freedom gatherings and associations.) The Orange Order can stroll the King’s Street, in Scotland, to commemorate the English Revolution of 1688-1690, which they’ve each proper to do, by legislation, though some individuals would possibly really feel uncomfortable/uncomfortable, particularly with the crowds that they comply with the march (Human Rights Act 1998, Article 9, Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Faith; Article 10, Freedom of Expression, Article 11, Freedom of Affiliation and Meeting).
Nevertheless, if Gillian Mackays Scottish Inexperienced Get together (Scotland) abortion companies invoice turns into legislation and wee Jean (OAP Baptist Church) holds a banner outdoors the hospital, on the Royal Freeway, saying “Shield the unborn”, “Assist ladies”, she may face with six months imprisonment for the primary offence.
Voltaire, the 18th century French Enlightenment thinker, is credited with saying: I disapprove of what you say, however I’ll defend to the loss of life your proper to say it.
Not so in twenty first century Scotland, the tradition of dismissal takes priority over democracy and human rights.
Who’s subsequent?
John Smith, Falkirk.