Who’s aggrieved?

I suppose it was too much to hope that in 2018 some political consensus would emerge. The notion was soon shattered when a Labour MP calls SNP opposition to draconian Tory policies “grievance politics” (Ian Murray, Scotsman, 3 January). “Shambolic politics” more accurately describes Labour MPS at Westminster, where they are split over Jeremy Corbyn’s ineffective leadership and all over the place on Brexit.

Despite Mr Murray’s claims, Scotland still has very limited taxation powers as Labour joined with the Tories at Westminster to oppose devolving National Insurance, 100 per cent of VAT, Corporation Tax, Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Fuel Duty, excise duties and wealth taxes. Labour also voted against devolving tax credits, employment rights and the minimum wage to the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Murray forgets that the SNP Scottish budget proposals scrapped the public sector pay cap for the many, not the few, whereas Labour in Wales has not lifted the cap. Also, contrary to Labour calls for rail nationalisation, Labour in Wales has just announced three overseas private companies as the only approved bidders for the South Metro rail franchise. When Humza wrote to every political party asking them to back Scotland’s railways against a £600m cut from the UK Government, Labour’s transport spokesperson refused to respond.

Thanks to Westminster financial constraints, all public services are under severe strain and my forlorn hope for 2018 is that the media compares our Scottish government’s performance with that of the other administrations in the UK.

MARY THOMAS Watson Crescent, Edinburgh