Scottish Government should focus its energies on the real issues that matter

What a stark contrast between two successive days of debates in the House of Commons, with the SNP indulging in theatricson one day over devolved powers, followed the next day by the UK government conceding changes were required in relation to medicinal use of cannabis, having listened to those genuinely in need.

In the emergency debate on the operation of the Sewel convention on devolution, the SNP tried to generate as much illfeeling as possible. Their every word and mannerism spoke of a determination to accentuate difference at all cost. Here was a party enjoying portraying itself as being totally at odds with the UK government, happy to manufacture grievance without care for balance or fairness.

The next day the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, announced a review of the medicinal uses of cannabis oil and steps to speed up approval of its use for those with serious health conditions. All parties managed for once to set aside political point-scoring, finding common ground in recognising the need to overcome previous resistance to changing the law. The passion of mothers speaking out for their children has played a significant part, helping politicians see sense. Equally, we have a new Home Secretary determined to not be hidebound by past approaches.

If only the Scottish Government could focus its energies on the real issues that matter to the majority of people in Scotland.

KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire

Since the Tory leadership and London establishment has never bought into devolution, the recent jibes, jeering and discourtesy emanating from the UK government benches was of little surprise.

Contempt for Scotland and devolution was never clearer during the ridiculously short 15-minute debate on the Tory Brexit “power grab” in which not one Scottish MP was allowed to speak.

Blatant disregard for the express views of the Scottish Parliament in which all parties, except the Conservatives, voted against consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill on the grounds that devolved European Union matters would be withheld by Westminster was palpable.

However, the following quotes from prominent Unionists makes the case even stronger for independence.

From David Mundell: “Scotland is not a partner in the UK, it is a part of the UK”.

Yet in the infamous 2014 “Vow” we were assured that the UK was a partnership, “a nation of equals” and that further devolved powers to Devo max or a federal system would be delivered and our membership of the EU would be secure if we voted No to independence.

Then we have the prominent Brexit and Times journalist Tim Shipman, who declared: “Why should Scotland be regarded as any more important that Manchester?”

The answer is, of course that Scotland, unlike Manchester, is one of the two principal nations of the UK and has had its own devolved parliament since 1999.

GRANT FRAZER Cruachan, Newtonmore