No single political party should assume it speaks for entirety of diverse Scotland
Les le y Rid doch may feel that BBC1’ s Question Time occasionally does not reflect her pro-S NP views (“Making the real Scotland disap - pear ”, Perspective 20 May ), but surely the important point to make is that Scotland is a hugely diverse country, with the NorthEast, Highlands, Borders and the Central Belt significantly different in terms of topography and landscape, people and employment, language and accents, and political priorities and allegiances.
It is this diversity which makes the country we live in what it is – a forward looking and dynamic place, with a rich history and culture, in which we can easily travel a few short miles and find new experiences and perspectives.
There is no such thing as a political party that represents Scotland, simply because we have different opinions. It is arrogant of anyone to claim they represent the country. It is a minority of people in Scotland who support the SNP, the majority do not, and therefore it should come as no surprise when people speak out against them, especially in the North East where the tide has recently turned against them.
Ms Rid doch bemoans people’ s interest in local issues, but people everywhere are interested in policies, not politics, and it is local issues which affect them most and get them animated.
The S NP and their media commentator supporters are all so paranoid about other points of view that they have an unhealthy attitude to what we can all hear, say and think, trying to close down all other opinions.
They want to replace a healthy and diverse S cotland with a uniform one that all thinks the same, but that is not going to happen. BBC Question Time is simply a platform that they can not control, hence the on going campaign against it. VICTOR CLEMENTS
Aberfeldy, Perthshire
The new BBC Scotland channel was created under pressure from the SNP who have clearly influenced reporting on BBC Reporting Scotland for a considerable period of time.
There are never any stories covered on the main news programmes regarding issues which would embarrass the SNP, even though such stories are given extensive coverage by national newspapers.
There has been nothing, for example, on the great parental unrest concerning reduced subject choices for Higher sand the cap on free university places for well- qualified Scottish school leavers; expert economists’ views on the currency proposals for an independent Scotland; division sin the party over the timing of a second inde - p endence referendum; and the Joanna Cherry bullying allegations and rift with Nicola Sturgeon. The list is endless.
What we are fed is a constant supply of murders, sex assault cases and football, with any Westminster reports given a negative spin. I cannot remember any SNP minister being subjected to the forensic style of interrogations by Scottish interviewers that Government members in England are regularly faced with. Instead, SNP ministers and MPS appearing on BBC Scotland programmes are allowed free rein to use the opportunity to say what they want entirely unchallenged.
BBC Scotland’ s answer to Question Time, Debate Night, follows the same ethos. Presenter Stephen Jar dine makes much of questions coming from the audience. I am sure the questions selected are from the audience but I am equally sure the questions will have been screened by the producers to ensure SNP feathers are not ruffled.
I do not believe that, given combined Unionist support exceeds that for the SNP, no questions relating to the aforementioned topics or other matters concerning the record of the SNP have been submitted by the audience.
Mr Jar dine frequently interrupt sand c hall enges Conservative panel lists whilst affording left wing and S NP representatives a very easy ride. It is little wonder that viewing figures are dire and the sooner this white elephant goes the same way as ITV2 Scotland, the better. DONALD LEWIS
Beech Hill Gifford, East Lothian Instead of demanding the BBC refer itself to Ofcom regarding its audience selection at Question Time, the SNP and Lesley Riddoch should refer themselves to the mirror to explain why, when Fiona Bruce, confused by the lack of pro-indy audience members, asked if there were any SNP supporters and only found two proIndy, but non-snp people.
Could it be the same reason that, in 2017, incumbent MP Angus Robertson’s majority of over 6,000 in 2015 became a Tory majority of over 4,000, a 16 per cent swing, sacrificed on the altar of Sturgeon’s Brexit means Scexit campaign.
People, including S NP stalwarts, hated it then and hate it now, especially in the NorthEast fishing communities. They took it out on a clearly discomfited John Swinney last Thursday. ALLAN SUTHERLAND Willow Row, Stonehaven