Earn respect
Mary Thomas (Letters, 21 October) complains of a lack of respect shown to SNP MPS during last Saturday’s House of Commons debate.
I would point out that respect has to be earned. I have seen nothing to date in this parliament, in the behaviour, demeanour, attitude or record of the SNP members, that would engender respect from their political opponents.
It is noticeable that it appears to be quite acceptable in the SNP’S eyes to hurl abuse at Westminster, and especially Conservative politicians, calling them Westminster snobs, Tory posh boys, Eton toffs etc.
One wonders what the reaction from the ranks of the SNP from First Minister down would be if, just once, someone from Westminster reacted and referred to the SNP members as Nationalist numpties. Sauce for the goose?
DONALD LEWIS
Beech Hill, Gifford, East Lothian
the vote in 1979, the Conservatives, Liberals and the SNP combined to vote down James Callaghan’s government. That Mr Hamilton chooses to put all the blame on the SNP flies in the face of historical facts and says more about his political allegiance and prejudices than reality. That is the myth my letter referred to.
I’m also aware of the consequences faced by the SNP for their decision. Mr Hamilton says the motion was lost by one vote and blames the SNP. Clearly he has not heard of the abstention of Frank Maguire, or the two Irish republican members who voted against the government, or Callaghan’s refusal to bring the sick Sir Alfred Broughton to the chamber. Or perhaps it just doesn’t suit his narrative.
Also, to say that the Thatcher government could have been avoided is fanciful. The winter of discontent saw bodies unburied and waste pile up in the streets. A million and a half public sector workers had joined the many Laboursupporting unions who were hounding the government. It was only a matter of time before the government fell. However, it suits Unionists to keep perpetuating the myth that it was all the SNP’S fault.
GILL TURNER Derby Street, Edinburgh
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