Can we believe the First Minister?
DURING his questioning of Nicola Sturgeon in front of the Scottish Committee of Inquiry Murdo Fraser said something which every Scot must seriously reflect on. He commented that Ms Sturgeon had said some harsh things about Alex Salmond and pointed out to her that she had been an ally and political friend of Mr Salmond for 30 years, reminding her that all through that period she had told the Scottish people that they could trust Mr Salmond, that he was a man of integrity and honour, not least when he was leading the party in the 2014 independence referendum. He then put it to her that “you are now telling us that we should not believe a word he says”.
The question in my mind is whether the Scottish people can now believe a word Ms Sturgeon says.
Morag Black, Houston.
TO those mewling about their increased “tax burden” from Chancellor Rishi Sunak (“Sunak uses ‘full fiscal firepower’ to save jobs”, The Herald, March 4), ask yourselves: where will the money to beat Covid-19 come from? Where will the money for the NHS come from? Where will the money for the rebuilding of the country come from?
If anyone still believes the old fairy tale that private “entrepreneurs” will provide all the economic stimulus we need – rather than simply seeking the fastest buck and devil take the hindmost what happens to the world – I’ve some tins of tartan paint to sell them.
The private sector has proved to be worse than useless in this crisis, crying and whining about its lot 24/7 and demanding more of the very handouts it complained increased its “tax burden” pre-covid when given to the “little people”.
Too many people in this country have forgotten that the basics allowing them to sleep safely in bed at night in a civilised society rather than taking turns keeping watch with a shotgun come from the “tax burden”.
Anyone seeking to actively avoid paying their bit at this defining crisis in our country’s history is to my mind as much a traitor as Islamic State bride Shamima Begum.
Mark Boyle,
Johnstone.