Brexitheadwinds?

If Scotland is to flourish as it deserves it really must rid itself of this hapless and hopeless government.

It is ridiculous of Nicola Sturgeon to blame “Brexit headwinds” for our lack of economic growth when with the same “headwinds” the rest of the UK is growing three times faster than we are.

If we had a government that kept its promises it might help. Over 18 months ago Ms Sturgeon boasted about a new growth fund that would be a “half billion pound vote of confidence in Scottish business”.

Would she care to explain why not a penny of this fund has yet gone to any business in the country? Little wonder business confidence here is at rock bottom.

Alex Salmond’s vision of an independent Scotland was for lower taxes than the rest of the UK.

Ms Sturgeon has reversed that, we are now the highesttaxed part of the UK.

Like the property transaction tax the income tax rise will backfire on the government and result in a reduced tax take because high earners will either move or simply transfer large parts of their income into dividends. Tax on dividends does not go to Holyrood, it all goes to Westminster.

Good move, First Minister! (DR) RICHARD MARSH, Bellabeg House, Strathdon It is a measure of the SNP’S successful usurping of the Saltire as “their’’ flag that for the first time in decades of watching Commonwealth Games I was turned off by the showing of the flag in Australia.

For many years I felt a surge of pride and love for my country every time it flew and a glimpse of the flag was a stirring sight. No more.

Now I look and see painted zealots using it as a party political weapon and wallowing in the hatred and paranoia that is endemic to nationalism. These things are the antithesis of what I believe being a Scot means. Many on the separatist side now freely interchange Scotland and the SNP. Even in Holyrood, to voice an anti-snp view was once called being “anti-scottish’’.

Can we turn the clock back, please, to the days when our flag belonged to all of us and not one political party?

ALEXANDER MCKAY New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh