IT is gratifying to read that the devolved governments of Wales and Scotland have taken the decision to issue books on the Queen’s jubilee to primary pupils only on a school request basis and not, as first mooted, to issue one to each pupil.

The book is allegedly a celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee but has been dubbed “Anglocentric” by members of the Welsh Assembly as it highlights the dubious importance of the royal family and so-called achievements of the likes of Margaret Thatcher in a thinly veiled attempt to brainwash the young people of the UK.

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I am assured that the text will be unashamedly and rapturously patriotic which will, like all history books, call into question not only its accuracy but also its genuine value, other than as a propaganda tool for the Tory government and those who continue to benefit from a forelock-tugging populace.

The £12 million that it cost to publish these paeans to royalist agitprop is a shocking and truly disconcerting sum of money to squander whilst the people of the UK are suffering the worst cost-of-living crisis for a generation.

I’m certain that the book will not debate on whether or not the Queen and her family are worth the millions they purloin annually from the taxpayer or issues like Queen’s Consent and who paid for Prince Andrew’s recent out-of-court settlement.

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The distribution of the Queen’s jubilee book, like all the other observances we will doubtless have to suffer this year, owe much to the cynical “bread and circuses” modus operandi of the present Westminster government, though the dearth of bread for many people it purports to lead may become very apparent in the immediate future.

On reflection, as fuel bills soar and many are forced to choose between heating and eating, perhaps the devolved governments should issue every child with a copy of the book. It would always be something to throw on the fire.

Owen Kelly
Stirling

PRINCE William is reported to have told Caribbean islanders that he would support them if they decide to ditch the British monarchy and become republics.

Speaking in Nassau, The Bahamas, he apparently said: “We support with pride and respect your decisions about your future. Relationships evolve. Friendship endures.” Hear, hear. And so say all of us.

It’s just a great pity that he wasn’t speaking in Edinburgh, Scotland.

One day soon, perhaps.

Duncan Ross
Laide, Wester Ross

IF a member of the Japanese royal family had died last year, would Nicola Sturgeon now travel to Tokyo for their memorial? If not, then why did she postpone giving her Covid update on Tuesday (another record-breaking day for hospitalisations in Scotland) to travel to London to appear, maskless, at a memorial for Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey?

Greum Maol Stevenson
Glasgow

AFTER years of initiating and organising the Annual Declaration of Arbroath Rally and other rallies through the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement, I am disappointed that I won’t be fit for Saturday‘s Declaration of Arbroath rallies. I am 85 and suffering from a chest infection.

On the other hand, I am really pleased that I don’t need to be there, or do a thing, and that All Under One Banner is carrying it on, far better than I or the SRSM could, after all these years.

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I am also glad that The National realises the cultural, historical and political reasons for such events by publicising them regularly through articles and letters and on the all-important Notice Board. We had to struggle all these years to get the anti-Scottish media to even mention it, albeit grudgingly or misrepresenting us with some nonsense or other.

It is good to get the SNP to speak at last (officially) and that the local SNP will at last (officially) join in. Mike Russell’s quality articles are good on it, and he claims he always believed that the SNP should keep up the rallies. AUOB is taking flak in some quarters for even allowing the SNP to speak. I am glad the organisers are sticking to the AUOB principle of maximum unity. If our real aim is to achieve independence it is the only way, regardless of all the complaints and splits, right or wrong.

An independent Scotland should be too busy with a reconstruction programme of our neglected infrastructure: an integrated road, rail sea and air transport system to suit all our needs, plus quality housing reconstruction and making Scotland a better and safer and nuclear-free place to live, as well as fulfilling a better and anti-imperialist human rights aspirations through United Nations and other progressive bodies.

As well as benefitting our long-suffering populace, the international ramifications will be long-reaching, not least among our class deference, forelock-tugging Anglo Saxon peasant neebors and their so-called Labour Movement.

Donald Anderson
Glasgow