Crucially, the outcome of a referendum is decided on the number of overall votes cast, not on the number of parliamentary seats won, which, in the case of the SNP, might see them gain a majority of seats, while only gaining 35%, at most, of total votes cast.
How democratic is that?
Bob Hamilton, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire.
More letters…
Gloves off: Time to fight SNP
AFTER all the insults and misinformation we hear routinely from the SNP about the UK, England, London, Westminster, it is welcome that the Starmer government is staging a fightback (“PM: Swinney is insulting Scots with ‘secret’ indy plan talk”, The Herald, October 21).
The PM ridiculed John Swinney’s ‘secret’ plan for attempting to achieve secession, and has accused him of insulting the intelligence of Scots on the separation question.
Mr Starmer also highlighted the SNP’s appalling record in government, questioning where the extra £5.2 billion in funding received this year by Holyrood has gone – as well he might.
In addition, defence minister Luke Pollard pointed out that Scottish secession would be a ‘win’ for Putin.
We already know that: why else would Russian bots campaign so hard on social media for Scexit, using the SNP’s own propaganda memes and slogans in their posts?
It’s high time the pro-UK side took off their gloves and ensured that those who are in thrall to SNP propaganda are given the chance to face the truth.
Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh.
Swinney – a Shakespearean tragedy
Correspondent Keith Howell is correct when he points out John Swinney has no plan for independence (“Let’s face it: the SNP has no real plan for indy, secret or otherwise”, The Herald, October 22).
Indeed, the more he promises, the more deluded he sounds.
Like King Lear, he raves: “I will do such things, what they are yet, I know not; but they shall be the terrors of the earth!”
That didn’t end well, did it?
Peter A. Russell, Jordanhill, Glasgow.
Don’t play with public finances
YOUR article (“Forget ferries and Deposit Return Scheme, this is the biggest SNP public finances scandal”, The Herald, October 23)” accurately underscores one of the most blatant examples of financial mismanagement in recent Scottish history.
The Scotwind initiative, touted as a cornerstone of Scotland’s green energy future, has, in fact, been riddled with opaque dealings and missed opportunities that place a heavy financial burden on taxpayers.
In analysing the scale of what has been foregone, it’s evident we’re witnessing a grave financial scandal that has largely evaded rigorous media examination.
This inattention lends itself to a troubling narrative: that public finances are treated as a game, while the real implications of such ineptitude affect the lives of ordinary Scots every day.
The SNP’s constant push for independence offers little more than vagaries as they fail to manage what they already control effectively.
Rather than continuously seeking increased powers, which would further distance decision-making from communities directly impacted, we should focus on devolving powers to local authorities.
This would enable more precise responses, tailored to the needs of the people they serve, fostering accountability and efficiency.
It’s essential we cultivate a public discourse centred on values that matter, pro-growth, pro-taxpayer, and pro-local accountability.
As Adam Smith wisely said, “The greatest improvements in the productive powers of labour…have been the consequence of the division of labour.”
Here we can echo the need for division in governance that empowers local councils, leading to more refined, financially sound decisions.
Scotland cannot afford to allow its finances to be managed in a detached manner any longer.
We deserve representatives who engage earnestly with economic realities.
It’s imperative that citizens hold leaders accountable and insist on protocols that prevent future mismanagement.
The SNP administration’s apparent disregard for the consequences of their policies suggests a disconnection from the everyday impacts their decisions create.
Let us advocate for transparency, accountability, and a return to values that reflect the needs of everyday Scots.
Only then can we forge a path that allows Scotland to thrive on its own terms.
Alastair Majury, Dunblane, Perthshire.
Russia/Ukraine – the invisible massacre
On almost a daily basis we hear of massive indiscriminate bombing attacks on Ukraine by Russia, raining down hundreds of drones, rockets and bombs (“Six killed in Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine”, The Herald, October 23).
Yet for some reason these attacks are no longer headline grabbing news.
According to statistics from the UN earlier this year, these attacks are hitting residential areas, hospitals and even prisons.
The UN statistics also record that some 14,000 civilians have died, including 700 children, and some 36,000 civilians have been injured including 2000 children.
As with the protests over the Gaza war, I wonder when we can expect to see the same thousands protesting this indiscriminate carnage by Russia in Ukraine, with marches on a weekly basis through the streets of London and other cities, waving Ukraine flags and calling on Russia to stop this genocide.
Or do they not care, or consider this unworthy of protest?
Alan Fitzpatrick, Dunlop, Ayrshire.
The Russian president does not seem to be pushing for peace with Ukraine (Image: Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Putin’s playing Trump
WHEN will Donald Trump wake up and smell the coffee?
I cannot believe he still thinks Vladamir Putin is interested in a ceasefire with Ukraine (“Zelenskyy and European leaders accuse Putin of stalling”, The Herald, October 22).
He will not stop until he forces regime change in Kiev, unless he himself is stopped.
The Russian president must be laughing at Mr Trump’s inability to grasp the nettle and carry out the threats he consistently makes if some sort of peace deal or ceasefire isn’t agreed soon.
The Russians now know that these threats are hot air, and that a lengthy phone call to the White House will have the Americans rolling over in quick time. Mr Trump’s flip-flopping over who is the aggressor in this war is staggering beyond believe.
Last week, as he’s done in the past, he implied that further heavy sanctions would be levied on Russia, and threatened to issue long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine unless a deal was struck.
Genuine threats might have brought the Russians to the negotiating table as they are known only to respond to strength.
However, the phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin had the American president again retreating like a paper tiger.
Meanwhile Mr. Putin walked away with another win, free to continue inflicting untold damage on his neighbour.
Mr. Trump should take heed of the unattributed quote: “He who continues to be outdone has already lost the race.”
Christopher H Jones, Giffnock, Glasgow.