Named ducks

I note Gill Turner’s stout defence of the Named Persons Scheme (Letters, 17 August) following Donald Morrison’s letter rightly slating the scheme the previous day.

Ms Turner defends the virtuous aims stated to underpin the legislation and appears to disregard the key means of pursuing these through the aegis of “state guardians” charged with promoting a “wellbeing” capable of being widely interpreted and defined by the SNP state irrespective of parental views.

The “road to hell” adage springs readily to mind, also the “duck characteristics” cited by our leaderene this week.

To my mind, the totalitarian regime reference is entirely apposite.

Various dictionary definitions of totalitarianism married to nationalism refer to defining characteristics which include: highly centralised authoritarianism which admits of no errors or faults and brooks no criticism of policy; strict discipline enforced upon party members and politicians; a conflating of flag, party and the state with a demonising of critics; state policing answerable to the executive; a fondness for mass rallies and marches and a delighting in leaders who make cults of themselves.

How many readers recog-

nise the fledgling “duck” from these “tells”? RONALD JOHNSTON

St Ola, Orkney