We don’t need hope from the SNP – what we require is action
Parliament, there are nearly two million fewer jobs in the UK, according to Goldman Sachs the UK economy is 5% worse than it would have been if we had stayed in the EU. I could go on, but Brexit continues to be a disaster. Norman Robertson via email
IT has been revealed that both MPs for Dumfries and Galloway have failed to speak on our behalf in the corridors of power, with David Mundell speaking just seven times so far in 2024 and Alister Jack 19, compared to the average of 32.
They have been elected, nay, re-elected on promises that they would speak up on the issues that concern people in Dumfries and Galloway yet all they ever seem to do is criticise the Scottish Government (which is not itself above criticism) while failing abysmally to offer positive or constructive suggestions as to what their masters are going to
The UK economy is 5% worse than it would have been if we had stayed in the EU
READER Allan Merry snapped this shot of Goatfell in Arran, which had a white tip following a shower of hailstones do to improve matters. Remember how they have overseen the transfer of jobs and businesses to other parts of this so-called United Kingdom.
The only unity about which they care is that of their masters in Downing Street. Keep them out of the line of fire while keeping us peasants in our places.
Surgeries etc must be advertised in the pages of the Tory press because I have failed to see a single one of these things advertised anywhere, and the other parties need not crow. Their actions lead me to think that they do not care about representing people, only their parties.
We need a better form of democracy. One in which real people, with real needs, are given the opportunity to influence matters and not have their views shunted down some sideline to be forgotten. Representatives should represent – and not forget who put them there. Chick McKenna
Dumfries
WHAT a load of waffle Stewart Hosie managed to concoct in his piece in the Sunday National (‘I will be making the case for a brighter future for Scotland, Apr 14). Regardless of his retirement plans later this year, his opening shot was that he promised to remain active in the SNP and the cause for Scotland’s independence.
And that was it! All the rest was about what the SNP has achieved while in office and what has taken place in Westminster during his own time spent there. However, his concluding message was that because the people of Scotland are full of optimism and hope, the SNP will always offer hope. Big deal!
Let me say one thing on that, Stewart: we do not need hope from an SNP government. We need action and, more importantly, information on what benefits will we get in an independent Scotland. Something that was forgotten about in every one of your paragraphs, apart from the first.
For ten years Scotland has been optimistic, as you suggest, about every opportunity that came along for the government to organise the departure from the Union. But nothing happened and governmental life carried on, as it is now with our new leader.
Importantly, we want the government’s view on Scotland’s currency in an independent country and whether it will be an immediate change over. Remember decimalisation? That was an overnight change with hardly any problems apart from the subsequent slight increase in the cost of living.
Next on my list, being a pensioner, is my pension.
I heard or read way back that it could increase to an average of all EU countries’ pensions? Then there is the NHS. Brexit has decimated the staffing of our hospitals and local surgeries.
How will you attract those wonderful people back from the their individual countries? Similarly, for our wonderful fruit farmers. They need the European casual labour back to pick the fruit instead of letting it rot, as is the current situation.
Schools and public and social services need more money as well as all of the above.
How much money could Scotland realise for itself on an annual basis instead of its paltry offering via the Barnett formula from Westminster?
All of the above has been sadly missing since and before the 2014 vote for independence. We have had to rely on experts outwith both parliaments; people like Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp and his Business for Scotland partners.
Scotland already has a model constitution both ancient and modern. You can find the modern one online, available for the Scottish people to amend as necessary. Now that’s democracy! Under the heading “Constitution for Scotland” it has 15 articles and 174 sections. This was organised by the Scottish Independence Foundation.
Stewart Hosie needs to forget for the last few years, forget about politics and concentrate on what we, the sovereign people, would like our country to be. Why not organise a multi-faceted convention with interested parties from all walks of life taking part? That would be good for starters. Alan Magnus-Bennett
Fife
I WANTED to hear from Stewart Hosie about how Scotland’s values and interests are ignored by a media class that want prevent any kind of change and are misrepresenting Scotland as being a disaster in order to get a Labour government elected that will ensure the lack of change they want.
If you don’t fight the enemy and you don’t try to turn the voters against the enemy, the enemy will continue to win – as they are doing. It’s time to fight back dirty. A J Wilson via thenational.scot