WHILE it is entirely understandable that outward-facing political activity is suspended for a period following the death of Her Majesty, it is not at all appropriate that inward-facing activities like normal branch meetings be suspended. I am not aware of any such request being made by the National Secretary of the Scottish National Party, though I am aware of at least one branch postponing their branch meeting.
READ MORE: Police Scotland faces questions over anti-monarchist arrests
To suspend inward-facing branch meetings could disrupt said branches’ ability to prepare properly for the SNP 2022 Annual Conference in Aberdeen on October 8-10. Bear in mind the Aberdeen event will be the first in-person SNP Conference since 2019.
If there is any attempt to postpone the Aberdeen conference at the National Executive on Saturday coming, I will be demanding a roll call vote on any such attempt.
Bill Ramsay
Convener SNP Trade Union Group
and Trade Union Group National Executive member
THERE were numerous articles and letters in Monday’s National claiming that a Scottish republic after independence would be a more desirable system than a monarchy.
It has often been said that monarchy is an illogical and antiquated system, and it may be, but it has one abiding virtue. It keeps the post of head of state from the often grubby hands of partisan and divisive political parties.
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth was the glue that held the British state together
Countries which are monarchies – such as Denmark, Norway, New Zealand and Canada – are almost without exception the most democratic and best governed nations in the world. These are countries which an independent Scotland would hope to emulate, and obviously their monarchy is no bar to good government.
It is clear that if the SNP came out as a republican party it would guarantee the end to our hopes of independence, as republicanism does not have the necessary popularity in Scotland to offset the loss of many monarchist voters.
There is plenty of room for modernising and slimming down the current monarchy, but who would want a President Truss as head of state?
James Duncan
Edinburgh
ON Monday I read the article by Richard Murphy with both amusement and distaste. It has not taken long for republican bores to stick their heads above the parapet.
It seems many of us are sad at the death of the Queen of Scots and had a fondness for the lady. We get the usual class-warrior prattle – democracy, class, egalitarianism and an unusual one, vassal. It seems Mr Murphy’s self-esteem takes a knock because he is a vassal, oh dear. I am in fact a vassal of both a marquis and the Crown – does this cause me to feel downtrodden and put-upon? The idea is risible. Unlike Mr Murphy I was unable to see much politics in the current situation; possibly I am myopic. Possibly too Mr Murphy is myopic in that he was unable to discern large crowds?
READ MORE: Richard Murphy: Why I won't stop talking politics because of the Queen's death
We have the red herring of democracy – I assume Mr Murphy has the franchise, as do I? In Scotland we have a very democratic system of elections and quite young people may take part too. The English parliament has a truly atrocious electoral system, a token democracy where a party having a minority vote may rule virtually untrammeled, and be also in a position to gerrymander as dear Boris tried to do and the foolish and self-satisfied woman the English Tories have foisted on the country wants to do. The monarchy is no problem at all – the English Parliament, Government and Supreme Court are.
R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian
AS a republican it’s hard enough to endure the British media coverage of the Queen’s death and the accession of King Charles III, which is likely to continue for several more days. The blanket coverage by The BBC and ITV into every facet of the monarchy amounts to a state-sponsored gaslighting of the British and Scottish public.
The Stone of Destiny, which has been used for centuries for the coronation of Scottish kings, is referred to in England as “The Coronation Stone” and will be moved to England for the coronation of King Charles.
READ MORE: Man arrested after shouting abuse at Prince Andrew during Royal Mile procession for the Queen
This removal of the stone is the clearest expression of the fact that England has dominion over Scotland and that, far from being a voluntary member of the United Kingdom, Scotland is a vassal state and subordinate to England within the United Kingdom.
Sandy Gordon
Edinburgh
AT all levels people who oppose the monarchy are vilified, even down to my level. When criticising the priorities of the TV, press, media, church etc on Facebook I received many replies which are not printable.
The National in my opinion fell into that trap too, the over-indulgence of full-page headlines of the Queen’s death stopped me from buying the newspaper over the past few days. It’s times like this when we should stand up for our beliefs, not days after when it has died down.
Our mantra is that the people are sovereign, not the monarchy. We cannot have it both ways. The monarchy at present have to sign off legislation. That’s an affront to the independence movement. Watching Nicola be part of the accession malarkey, singing the national anthem, makes you feel there is still a mountain to climb. Hope I’m wrong.
D Gill
via email
I AM not a royalist. In fact, I would like to see an independent Scotland become a republic with an elected head of state. Nevertheless, the loss of a mother, grandmother and great grandmother is a sad occasion. Therefore, I would like to express my sympathy and condolences to the royal family and to the other, friends, colleagues and employees of her late Majesty the Queen, who will undoubtedly sadly miss her.
May God bless her and may she rest in peace.
Charlie Kerr
Glenrothes
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