Bank on Gordon

John Birkett’s letter about Gordon Brown’s Labour government is a rehash of old Tory propaganda blaming the banking crisis on Labour (Scotsman, November 1).

A worldwide banking crisis caused by creative accountancy and complex banking systems surprised everyone.

Up till then there was little disagreement between labour and Tory on spending plans and regulation.

Alastair Darling had one vital afternoon only to save our banks and economy.

Without Labour’s socialist rescue, many of us would be like the Americans of the Depression years, who sat pathetically at the corners of roadsides, saying ‘Brother can you spare a dime?’

Gordon Brown on live American TV told George Bush that doing nothing was not an option. The US economy was also on a precipice. The advice went against Bush’s free market grain, but he took it.

We have lived in a post-truth period with lies about that episode in our history. But now many, like Ruth Davidson, are coming to see that strategic intervention and reform of corporate culture( once socialist policies) are our main hope.

I believe that moderates can eschew the ugly propaganda styles of the last five years and develop a post-post truth culture.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh