Talk about the SNP Mr Neil

Dear Editor,

Having read the recent political column by Alex Neil MSP [Advertiser, August 10], I am shocked at how he sees fit to comment on the state of other political parties.

It is very clear Mr Neil ignores, and hopes the general public forget about, the internal issues within his own Scottish National Party.

It would be refreshing if Mr Neil could give the public an update on the previous disgraceful behaviour of ex-SNP MPs Natalie McGarry and Michelle Thomson, along with the outrageous antics of Angus B MacNeil and Stewart Hosie.

He could also comment on issues closer to home, with local in-fighting and serious allegations surrounding the SNP branch in Coatbridge, and the previous behaviour of the Airdrie branch.

And, as Mr Neil has never lived in Airdrie & Shotts but instead resides in Ayrshire, he could perhaps give readers an update on the in-fighting of the SNP branch in Ayr.

I also find the political posturing of Mr Neil and councillors David Stocks and Michael and Agnes Coyle very bizarre, more so regarding North Lanarkshire’s recent severe budget cuts that have been forced on Scottish councils by the SNP government.

North Lanarkshire Council had a massive cut off 37 per cent to its budget, the third-largest of all Scottish councils.

The SNP elected members, who should have been driven by group leader Cllr Stocks, could have acted more responsibly and publicly produced a detailed alternative budget with full costings line by line, lifted the phone to their senior MSP colleagues at Holyrood and gained additional money to prevent these drastic cuts.

And it’s good to remind people the SNP government last year saved £400million.

Some of that could have supported the people of Airdrie & Shotts, but they ignored the calls all over Scotland to support councils.

Let’s not forget Alex Neil was a member of the cabinet at this time and obviously ignored the cries for help from Scottish councils.

Instead of being opportunistic and sitting on their hands, they should give more substance instead of soundbites and photo opportunities.