Political television fascinates

Sir, I have been fascinated watching the SNP Conference on TV.

Mike Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, insisted that the SNP are not putting forward a plan ‘designed to fail’ as part of his party’s negotiations on Brexit.

He already knows that SNP demands cannot be met in full. As Scottish Minister on Brexit he is only too aware that the SNP demand of: ‘Best for Scotland – not second best’ leaves no room for negotiation.

The MSP is correct, not designed to fail but to justify a second independence referendum.

The First Minister’s closing speech was very engaging. So engaging that every phrase was followed by applause – indeed I thought she was participating in a fundraising clapathon.

And what did we learn. She and her colleagues have been enjoying dozens of city breaks over the summer.

Not for a suntan but to promote Scotland as a country of poo – progressive, open, and outward looking.

Any polite or courteous response is naively interpreted as support for Scotland remaining in the EU.

But the word Nicola wants us to remember is: ‘inclusion.’

Inclusion in a second referendum; inclusion in higher tax rates than the rest of the UK; inclusion in increased centralisation of power to Holyrood.

Finlay Craig, Cove.