Sticking with Yousaf’s election strategy is not the right decision
biodiversity and the survival of the human race.
Would Labour be a better alternative? Surely not. What would be the point? They clearly aren’t interested in either independence or our future.
Tony Kime
Kelso
I WAS deeply impressed by Naomi Klein’s address at the Seder in the Streets in New York, which was printed in The Guardian newspaper on April 24. She spoke of Zionism as a false idol, such as Jewish people are commanded to spurn.
In rabbinic tradition, as I understand it, the coming of the Messiah is supposed to herald the gathering of the chosen people in the promised land once again, and the rebuilding of the temple. The religious Zionist extremists seem to want to usurp this function, presumably thinking that if they gather the Jewish people and build
Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam
their temple, destroying Al-Aqsa mosque in the process, they will force the Messiah’s hand? I can only understand this as blasphemous. It’s supposed to be God’s work.
Remember that Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam. Its destruction would surely ignite an explosion across the Muslim world, from Morocco to Indonesia. Israel’s “security” minister, the hideous Ben-Gvir, has been repeatedly trying to incite trouble over the mosque, to such an extent that even in Netanyahu’s extremist government, I believe he has now been relieved of responsibility for the site.
Finally, there is a quote I came across a good number of years ago, attributed to an American priest, who I think aimed it at the Christian right, but it seems apt in this context: “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”
Robert Moffat
Penicuik
SO, John Swinney has confirmed that he “will stick with the Yousaf strategy on independence.” This strategy firstly requires the SNP to win “the majority of Scottish seats” at the next General Election.
Now, forgive me for sounding somewhat pessimistic, but on current polling, I suspect the SNP will be lucky even to win the 11 seats that they won half a century ago in the election of 1974! I remember it well.
The strategy then is to take that (unlikely) mandate to the UK Government and begin negotiations on “fresh action”, whatever that means, and to “ask” Westminster for more powers!
Are Swinney and the SNP hierarchy naive, hopelessly optimistic, or just plain ignorant of certain obvious facts?
Firstly, the chances of the SNP achieving a majority at the next UK election are disappearing at an increasing rate.
Secondly even if, by some miracle, the SNP do manage to achieve a majority, the notion that any Westminster government, blue or red, will pay a blind bit of attention to any request from the Scottish Government for more powers is strictly for the birds.
The Unionists in Westminster may be arrogant, venal and vicious but they aren’t stupid. They know that they simply can’t afford to let the “cash cow” that is Scotland go. So they won’t, no matter how much of a mandate we have. Humbly pleading for another referendum only makes us appear needy and pathetic. Please sir, may we have one, sir, please? Well the Englishdominated Supreme Court slammed shut that door to independence and no amount of begging will open it. Forget it!
Swinney also stated the importance of winning voters around to independence. “We have to advance the arguments for independence,” he says.
So, what’s his strategy for doing that? Another dozen white papers that nobody reads? More “progressive policies” that the ordinary voter doesn’t really give two hoots about? More marches that he himself doesn’t attend?
It has been suggested that the only way forward now is to increase independence support to greater than 60% by an all-out forceful campaign, tell Westminster to get lost and put our case for recognition to the UN and the international community at large. Is that possible? Is it realistic? Are there no smart, legal minds in the SNP able to really investigate this as an alternative path? How about you, Joanna Cherry?
To be blunt, I found reading John Swinney’s speech profoundly depressing. Full of vague soundbites and empty of substance. If this is the best he can do then I despair.
The SNP has had my support and my vote in every single election since the 1960s but, for the first time in my life, I’m beginning to wonder if there’s any point in continuing to do so!
And I don’t think I’m alone. Duncan H
Glasgow
NOW that the dust is settling, I think there is room for some optimism. The numbers following the council elections in England would suggest that there is a real possibility of a hung Westminster parliament after the upcoming election.
We must ensure that the SNP are in a position to benefit from this by inviting those who want an independent Scotland to use their vote for SNP on the understanding that this will be regarded as a mandate for negotiation. I believe that this is a chance for our MPs to prove they are not corrupted by the system and that the British government will be forced to listen. The more MPs, the greater chance of success in such a strategy. Electoral pacts with Alba should be made. Do what Labour and the Tories say and get “obsessed with independence”.
Colin Harvey Kirkintilloch
race brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
Stacey Solomon’s Renovation Rescue (C4, 9pm)
NEWLYWEDS Shariqa and Imani have just £10,000 to spend on transforming their drab 1970s semi into a classy home with a period feel. Obviously Solomon is on hand to help but even her impressive skills are going to be pushed by that budget, especially when there’s a new kitchen to be fitted. However, she throws herself into the task while encouraging the couple to get hands-on. Meanwhile, at Pickle Cottage, the host upgrades an indoor-outdoor space using some plumbing tips.
A Very British Sex Scandal: The Duchess & The Headless Man (C5, 9pm)
IF the story told in this programme sounds familiar, it could be you watched 2021’s three-part drama A Very British Scandal, which starred Claire Foy as Margaret, Duchess of Argyll and Paul Bettany as her husband, Ian Campbell, the 11th Duke. Like that series, this documentary explores the events of 1963, when the couple were at the centre of a divorce case that hit the headlines. Both were guilty of having affairs, but it was her name that was dragged through the mud after an explicit photo came to light.