DEAR Gordon Brown,
I can’t understand why you fear 50 years of conflict between Scotland and England. As far as I know the two countries are not at odds with one another. Like the north of England and Cornwall and Wales (and Northern Ireland?), many folk in Scotland think successive governments have spent a disproportionate amount on the area around London and have ignored their needs – indeed, not even listening to suggestions.
If Labour is to be the party of solidarity it’s not enough to be talking about empathy, reciprocity, co-operation and sharing.
Where was solidarity when the gap widened between rich and poor over the last 30 years, or when food banks proliferated and austerity programmes flourished?
READ MORE: Wee Ginger Dug: This is Gordon Brown’s new Vow – and it’s every bit as hollow
Where was Labour when weapons of mass destruction were situated within spitting distance of the largest city in Scotland?
What forms of reciprocation are appropriate for all the toxic waste accumulating on the sea bed due to the Ministry of Defence leaving stuff behind?
Where was co-operation to increase the development of renewable energy?
The vaccine programme is admirable but the government’s lack of action led to the large numbers of infection so it’s merely mopping up its own mess.
Perhaps people would believe promises if they hadn’t had the experience of so many broken ones.
Call out the government. Campaign to abolish the unelected House of Lords and replace it with elected representatives. (Perhaps not as many as the current 800 or so. That’s a bit excessive, especially with their expenses and subsidised restaurants.)
Do something about cronyism and tell the public how the Chancellor is helping big business to avoid the tax man. Perhaps then your words will carry a bit more weight and we’ll know that actions matter as well as promises.
S Guz
Dundee
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel