Letters: A neoliberal indy Scotland would not prosper

In 1880, Friedrich Engels wrote in Socialism: Utopian and Scientific that for socialists, the abolition of classes is not a utopian dream. Rather, it presupposes “the development of production carried out to a degree at which appropriation of the means of production and of the products, and, with this, of political domination … by a particular class of society, has become not only superfluous but economically, politically, intellectually, a hindrance to development.”

If Scots accept the neoliberal solutions as postulated by Michael Fry post-independence, then the country will not prosper. Western governments have been brainwashed by neoliberal economists.

In reality Michael Fry’s financial capitalism in its neoliberal guise strips economies of their assets while loading them up with debt.

Alan Hinnrichs
Dundee

AS I often do, I find myself largely in agreement with Michael Fry. Those challenging the Wilson report have had neither the time nor the resources to back their challenges. I was saddened that the report did not go for a true Scots currency but have to accept that the Commission knows far more about it than I.

Mr Fry is again correct in stating that Scotland has no wish to become a Marxist utopia; the lefty froth in your letters pages and from some columnists is just that – froth. There is no doubt that in Scotland the consensus is generally left of centre, but far left it is not.

I have no “ism” behind my desire for Scotland’s independence, only a desperation to get the baleful influence of Westminster and Downing Street out of my country.

R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian

ALTHOUGH I consider myself politically well to the left of Michael Fry, I much admire him as a commentator and historian. His piece on the challenge to Scottish socialism was refreshing and insightful, and reminded me how badly the Conservatives in Scotland are missing an intellectual independence-supporting champion. The Yes movement desperately needs a grouping of people of his calibre to champion the cause of the right in an independent Scotland, if only to be properly prepared for the day they need to put a prospectus together for election to the inaugural parliament of an independent nation. Ruth and her cronies are not doing these people any favours, and they need to be properly heard for our democracy to flourish.

Ken Gibb
Ayr

ALL the discussions about what an independent Scotland would be like is a wonderful parlour game that’s grist to the media mill. What kind of currency, banking system, relationship to Europe, nuclear weapons, nationalising utilities etc etc. However, all of that is just a distraction and an exercise in semantics. The only single question that matters is this: do the people living in Scotland want self-determination? It is as simple as that. Do we want the ability to choose, to have the power to make decisions that the Scottish people have actually voted for?

A newly independent Scotland would press the reset button on Scottish politics and politicians. A new breed of politicians from the right and left would instead focus on Scotland’s people, its infrastructure and its place in the world. The only way we can empower Scotland to achieve this is through self-determination, it is the single over-riding question. If there is a Yes, it will pave the way for a genuine democratic debate for the very first time, to consider and rule on all of the above.

Mike Herd
Highland

THE contrast between the SNP and Labour when it comes to choosing their respective deputy leader is quite startling. While the SNP has a varied range of candidates – including an activist, a councillor and and an MSP/government minister – Labour couldn’t muster even two. It doesn’t say much for Richard Leonard’s leadership, or the vitality of the Labour party membership, that they couldn’t find two people who were interested in the job. However, with Lesley Laird MP, the shadow Scottish Secretary, taking over as deputy it will leave even less time for her to carry out her role as a councillor in Fife, where she hasn’t attended a full council meeting since October 2017. Her council constituents will be beginning to wonder who she is and must be asking themselves why Labour are too scared to call a by-election.

Cllr Kenny MacLaren
Paisley

I TRY, honestly, not to be the spectre at the feast, but I can understand why Andrew Wilson’s Growth Commission avoided mentioning Brexit in its report, (Why so little talk of Brexit in SNP’s Growth Report?, May 29). Basically, it’s a recognition of the anti-democratic nature of the EU, and its total commitment to neoliberal economics.

Anti-democratic? Laudably, The National has given excellent coverage of the Madrid government’s increasingly hysterical attempts to prevent elected Catalonian politicians taking their seats. I have been waiting to see what the EU would do about the possibility of anti-EU politicians taking power in Italy and yesterday’s article, (Return to ballot box forecast as populists fail to form coalition, May 29), appears to be a re-run of the Catalan and Greek attempts to throw off the shackles of neoliberal economics.

Gordon Mulholland’s letter in Monday’s issue points out that a neoliberal prospectus won’t get us a Yes vote, yet that is the message of the Growth Commission. Scotland must accept neoliberal economics because ….well, it must.

The arrival of Banquo’s ghost at the feast prompted Macbeth to return to the witches, who gave him information that he wanted to hear, but it was a riddle which led to his downfall. Just saying.

Lovina Roe
Perth