Failing scores

While Alexander Mckay (Letters, 26 January) continues to push the bounds of supposition and speculation in seeking to find fault with the Scottish Government, this time over a dog attack, Jill Stephenson sidesteps addressing fundamental aspects of coincidences highlighted (Letters, 25 January) among perceived failings in Scotland and UK failings.

Instead of disrespectfully impugning the integrity of those who seek to look beyond politically slanted headlines it would be more constructive if Ms Stephenson were to set aside, at least temporarily, her unquestioning defence of the dysfunctional Union and examine why people across the UK are being failed morally, democratically and economically.

Abstaining on the call at the UN for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza while overriding a decision of the Supreme Court in order to send away those fleeing war zones, some legally entitled to remain in the UK, is morally repugnant to many. Attempting to prorogue the UK Parliament and unilaterally rejecting international laws and conventions while preventing the Scottish Parliament from exercising its legitimate mandate is not democratic, especially when the authority of the UK Government derives from a widely discredited first-past-the-post voting system endorsed by an anachronistic House of Lords.

It is perhaps telling that Ms Stephenson did not attempt to argue that poor growth in the Scottish economy is not directly linked to the UK’S “15 years of economic decline” (according to the LSE CEP). How sad that some appear to have so little faith in the abilities of fellow Scots that even with Scotland’s considerable resources they cannot envisage a constitutional future beyond the current dire state of the UK.

Stan Grodynski Longniddry, East Lothian