Wisdomofage

As a proud Scot and a pensioner whose demise First Minister Nicola Sturgeon appears to await with thinly disguised anticipation, I feel simultaneously infuriated and insulted. Perhaps she should be careful for what she injudiciously wishes for. It is estimated that the over-sixties population is actually projected to increase steadily in the years ahead. As the wonderful idealism of youth gradually gives way to the harsh realities of life, so will the voting preferences shift. It will become clear that Sturgeon's perpetual claim that the SNP speaks for the Scottish people is simply a barefaced lie. During the 2021 election the Constituency and Regional vote favouring them was just 47.7 per cent and 40.3 per cent respectively on a 60 per cent turnout.

Clearly her weapons of choice are sheer nerve and brass neck. It was obvious to most folk at the height of the pandemic that her daily monologues were being used to political advantage. Granted, she expressed concern and sympathy for those of us most afflicted and affected by Covid, but judging by her recent illjudged comments we might be forgiven for concluding that those emotions were, in part, mere crocodile tears.

We have become all too familiar with Ms Sturgeon's mastery of verbal contortions, laced with apologetic contrition that her Administration will learn from a breathtakingly long list of ineptitude. Her former law professor, Alistair Bonnington, rightly declared that “a one-party state is the enemy of democracy”. It's probably too much to hope that the zealous Saltire-waving followers of All Under One Banner might take note.

NEIL J BRYCE Kelso, Scottish Borders