SNP proven to be financially inept

SIR, – With regard to Alan Bruce’s letter on April 20, I suggest he takes a serious reality check.

The improvements by the SNP he refers to such as baby boxes (already £7million over budget), free prescriptions, free personal care and record levels of infrastructure investment – commendable as he feels they may be and something I am sure the rest of the UK welcome – actually come with a £15billion budget deficit (larger than Greece).

Alan, you need to wake up and smell the roses. If Scotland were to seek independence, this budget deficit will need to be addressed and will need either huge tax increases or stark austerity measures to reduce it. The SNP have been in power for 10 years and have shown themselves to be financially inept. Dianne Field, New Park

Road, Aberdeen in Scotland in the last general election coming, close to influencing the balance of power in Westminster – had suitable alliances come to pass. Who is to say that, with the current climate of disenchantment with the mainstream, the SNP could not achieve control in Westminster this June without needing alliances if they were to run candidates throughout English constituencies?

The logistics of getting suitably loyal candidates into place in the short time available could be very challenging, infiltration by candidates disloyal to true socialist policies has neutered the Labour Party. Nevertheless, there are a considerable number of native Scots representing English constituencies who might be persuaded to swing their allegiance for a head start. The Scots have demonstrated a highly responsible attitude in the Westminster Parliament by their good attendance record, by raising important issues and by intelligent contributions to debates. That is what this country, and the world, needs. Ken D Flagg, Port of Ness,

Isle of Lewis by local authorities in windfarm planning applications.

If the huge quantities of dangerous nuclear waste are to be eliminated, priority has to be given to clean renewable energy – generated by wind, tide, wave and hydro.

Scotland has proportionately the greatest resource of renewables in the world – an opportunity that must not be lost.

Tor Justad, chairman, Highlands Against Nuclear Transport, Ord Terrace, Strathpeffer, Ross-shire