MICHAEL Fry’s column in Tuesday’s paper (Scotland could learn valuable lessons from efficient Germans, The National, October 10) unfortunately drifts off somewhat into national stereotype and also subtly disparages the work habits of British workers. All the while missing what to my mind is the central feature of the German economic system: the built-in structural constraints that limit and re-direct “normal” market forces.

Two are particularly crucial. First, tripartism, whereby unions and public authorities – regions and cities in most cases – sit on the supervisory boards of major companies making their decision-making much more “public”. Second, the interpenetration of public capital into private enterprise. Again Lander and cities have significant minority shareholdings in major corporations and they are used as levers to influence corporate policy.

The development trajectory of Volkswagen over the last 20 years is an example of these influences working through. Instead of moving most of their operations to low-cost suppliers outside of Europe – undercutting the millions of jobs in the Mittelstand (SME sector) – they expanded into nearby Czech and also Spain while at the same time moving their product line dramatically upmarket.

Nissan’s highly productive workers in Sunderland may have a sense of common interest with their Japanese/French “bosses” – created in no small part by the removal of the usual class status symbols – but German workers actually have something much more tangible to base their behaviour on.

Finally, pace Corbyn’s ideas on renationalising the energy sector, Germany has got there first. Over the last 15 years energy distribution, and in some cases supply, has been quietly re-municipalised in some 70 towns and cities across the country.
Rodney Stares
Edinburgh

I AM very much opposed to the proposal for online voting proposed by Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp (Three exciting ideas to build a better Scotland, The National, October 13). He indicates “… blockchain would also enable secure online voting”. This after indicating “blockchain-based security is almost impervious to hacking and identity fraud”. “Almost” is not good enough when it comes to the security of our elections. How much effort would those who would benefit put into breaching that security? He mentions postal votes helping “old folks vote” but the security of this is highly doubtful, with signature identity checks using computer systems from a company partially owned by a Conservative MP and the questionable security of the physical papers sitting about for days in council offices before the count. Unfortunately anyone can apply for a postal vote and an increasing number naively vote this lazy way. Postal votes should be pared back to only those who physically can’t manage to go to a polling station and when a proxy vote cannot be arranged. Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp indicates “secure instant mobile voting will encourage younger generations to have their voice heard”. If they find it to be too much effort going out to a secure polling station then maybe they deserve not to be heard. Look at the “effort” the Catalan voters had to make – how many young Scottish voters looked on that as a wasted effort. Those who do make the effort to go to a polling station don’t deserve their votes to be made meaningless due to adoption of insecure systems to suit the lazy or naive.
Jim Stamper
Rutherglen

OF course I would prefer Scottish independence before the next General Election. However, in the event of what could be a looming election, how about this for a radical policy? The SNP should field candidates for Westminster in English constituencies neighbouring Scotland.

So what would be the point? The SNP is routinely dismissed as being a regional party by broadcasters including Sky, Channel 4, ITV and of course the BBC. For example Channel 4’s decision to have the LibDems, Tory and Labour in a live debate cited the exclusion of the SNP, which is the third largest party in the UK, as being a regional not a national party. All three English parties are allowed to hold their annual conferences with the assurance that there would be no questions put to the House.

The SNP were excluded from this arrangement because they are deemed to be a regional party and not a national party. The SNP should field candidates in the constituencies of Penrith and the Border, Berwick-on-Tweed and Hexham. Contesting these constituencies would undermine broadcasters’ claim that it is a regional party and who knows, the constituents might actually like the idea of voting for an SNP candidate with progressive ideas.
Mike Herd
Highland

MPs to debate a referendum for Scotland’s independence, while the UK does battle with the EU for hers. Meantime Scotland should get on with the job of getting trade deals with Norway, Iceland and Ireland. We must steward our own industries and resources.
AC, Aberdeen
via text

WELL said Alan Hinnrichs (Letters, October 12) and welcome back to the letters pages. Your letter regarding Franco was accurate, and hopefully more people will check out the facts before condemning the Catalan Government’s actions. We must be willing to support other independence-seeking nations.
Billy Kerr
Ayrshire