THE inner workings of the Conservative and Unionist Party must really be messed up for Sunak to take the level of flak that he has had over his reappointment of Suella Braverman (Braverman role an ‘accident waiting to happen’, Oct 30).

It is a strange ditch to die in, as the saying went from my army days.

And it is not just us wild-eyed members of the Yes movement who think the Conservative and Unionist team are crazy; others outwith the movement are also concerned.

One now has to wonder how all those Labour voters in the housing schemes in the Midlands and the northern reaches of England feel? Having voted, as they did, for the lie as sold by Johnson.

READ MORE: Suella Braverman brands Channel crossings 'an invasion' of England in 'disgusting' comments

Just how do they feel knowing that they are about to reap the whirlwind of Sunak and his austerity, a programme on steroids and without compassion. Will they stare at their “blue” passports, or are they black? Will they look at them in the fading light of day or by flickering candlelight because of another power cut and have pride knowing that the UK is now the laughing stock on the world stage?

The UK is viewed as one would view a once-talented boxer, so brain-damaged from punches to the head as to make him feeble in movement and unintelligible in speech.

The neoliberal think tanks are using Sunak et al to their own ends. This is not a government for the majority but one for an elite – a very small percentage now think to control our lives.

The months ahead will see a further decrease in the ability of Downing Street to protect the population from the ravages of food poverty and fuel poverty. Once a population is left in the dark, cold and hungry, then who can predict what anger will spill onto the streets?

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The prospect of civil unrest is very real, as the lights and heating are kept on in the House of Lords, the Commons, and the bars and restaurants of Westminster, not forgetting the resplendent apartments of our unelected head of state and his extended family.

It is then that no matter how often the government reminds us of the great days of empire, no matter how often they say that we are all in this together, that the people will notice the gulf between those in power and the electorate.

We are all aware that the empire is gone and what is left is nothing more than a financially and morally corrupt and bankrupt ember.

With those in control so removed from reality, they might as well be operating on a different planet.

Scotland needs out. Scotland needs independence.

Cliff Purvis
Veterans for Scottish Independence 2.0/SNP Armed Forces & Veterans

A SPOKESPERSON for Rishi Sunak recently confirmed that the former ban on fracking would be reinstated. Yet in August in front of an audience organised by Sky News, that very same Rishi Sunak said on fracking “I’m in favour of it” and that a study from three different royal societies consisting of geologists and engineers said that they believed fracking was safe.

Sunak went on to say “if we can get it to work it’s good for our long-term energy security”.

What’s going on?

Geoff Moore
Alness, Highland

I REALLY could not decide whether to laugh or cry at the announcement from Police Scotland that they would have to cut services if they don’t get more money. I would suggest that they present us with a list of what they actually do these days and allow the general public to decide any funding increase they deserve.

In my area, we have an invisible police force – they are often heard, but rarely seen.

They won’t attend burglaries, they ignore motoring offences, there are more drugs here than in Boots, with a shorter waiting time. Graffiti abounds, feral gangs of kids cause mayhem on a weekly basis.

READ MORE: Cut health spending to fund police force, union chief tells Scottish Government

A recently retired senior officer friend of mine refers to today’s force as “graduates” as they arrive for work, do as little as possible, collect wages, and are home in time for Countdown.

Therefore, could we have a list of actual work done to “protect and serve”, or at the very least, a commitment to a time and motion study to see where we are paying massive amounts for very little return.

Jim Mc Gregor
Kirkintilloch

I NOTE that from August 23 Edinburgh City Council “will begin work on representing statues, buildings and street names that have a legacy linked to slavery and colonialism” (Formal apology over capital’s links to slavery, Oct 28).

Presumably this means that the new statue of Elsie Inglis planned for the Royal Mile will have a double plaque. The first honouring Dr Inglis’s tireless work for women’s suffrage and bravery and life saving in World War One field hospitals; the second noting her family status deriving from colonialism (India), slave-owning (Carolina) and plantation-owning (Demerara, her Inglis Inverness antecedents).

C Wilson
via email