Can the dogma

So Joanna Cherry says “after the election SNP will work … to keep the tories out”. Well well Well, and here I was thinking that the Scottish Government

was in place to govern for all residents of Scotland and not to simply carry on streetfighting to satisfy political ideology.

The SNP record in Government leaves so much to be desired, and yet Ms Cherry is prosing militancy rather than considering that some longterm policies for the benefit of Scotland might just be a better, more mature and certainly more statesmanlike attitude than the sort of dogma that is more redolent of totalitarian regimes elsewhere.

Cannot Governments look to develop the wellbeing of the country in a sympathetic and inclusive way? I continue to be embarrassed by the current records on education and health provision, to say nothing of the disgrace that is food banks. But let’s forget all this and just bash the parties with whom we disagree. Great!

DAVID GERRARD Spylaw Park, Edinburgh

Increasingly the SNP spokespeople are telling us that the number of votes cast for the SNP in the forthcoming general election will give an indication of how strongly the people of Scotland are demanding a second referendum for independence. I presume this means that everyone who does not support independence must vote ‘other’ than SNP to avoid inadvertently supporting the cry for a ‘repeat’ referendum on independence! JAMES WATSON Randolph Crescent, Dunbar, East Lothian

There can be few countries in the world so blessed with resources: energy; marine and agricultural produce of the highest quality; whisky; spectacular scenery and tourism to match; excellent universities and a worldwide reputation for invention and diligence, and – the trump card – 90 per cent of Britain’s fresh water. Why on earth would we be afraid to set our own standards and align them, where appropriate, with our civilised European neighbours?

The Union is dead on its feet; time for the next, exciting, step.

DAVID ROCHE Conachar Court, Perth