Negotiations with DUP

SIR, – Doug Daniel (Press and Journal, June 27) questions the influence of the 13 Scottish MPs during negotiations with the DUP on support – but misses the fact that even with these MPs on board the Conservatives did not have an overall parliamentary majority, so dialogue, and certain concessions, to the DUP were higher on the agenda than a review of the Barnett formula.

He also implies that additional Barnett money would support devolved areas like health and transport without reference to the fact that Barnett presently allocates more per head to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland than goes to our English neighbours nor that both health and transport are devolved and financially mis-controlled by Holyrood, not Westminster.

Give the new MPs, of whatever party, the opportunity to contribute and we might see an improvement in governance. Sticking up for the constituents of the north-east and independence are not conjoined and less than two weeks before criticising seems a bit questionable when previous members, such as that for Gordon, achieved almost nothing during a full parliamentary term.

Walter Service, Fairview Manor, Danestone, Aberdeen