Why should the blue, red or orange Tories seek the SNP's assistance?

We have already seen how the members of the Scottish branches of the London-based Unionist parties united immediately after the elections, without any local agreements, on councils all over Scotland to keep the SNP on the sidelines.

Why should the blue, red or orange Tories seek assistance from the SNP, when all three are pursuing the same policies?

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Far better to leave the SNP holding the so-called balance of power – that would give them the opportunity for an endless blame game that they could never lose.

The SNP would be unable to carry through legislation in Westminster and would face popular proposals from all three London-based parties carefully drafted so that they would not get through Westminster, apparently because they were opposed or not supported by the SNP.

Imagine a Labour proposal to make very large cuts in income tax over the whole of the UK, naturally with the Chancellor setting the tax bands. The Tories would oppose it on the grounds that they are working on an even better system (jam tomorrow and soon forgotten) but as far as opposition parties and the media are concerned it would have been blocked because the SNP voted against lower income tax.

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The Tory and LibDem parties would also have their share of stage-managed debates in Westminster, probably backed up by opposition motions in Holyrood.

Whatever happens at the next UK General Election, the only certainty is that the SNP will not be part of the UK Government.

Let’s make sure that this is because Scotland has already taken back control and joined the family of nations that endeavour to make them better places for everybody who lives or works there.

John Jamieson
South Queensferry

THE contempt for human rights was on show during the farcical coronation where the Met Police were pre-emptively arresting people in case they made a protest or complaint about the millions of pounds of public money being squandered on one of the richest men in the country. Welcome to new UK, where human rights don’t exist and the police can now arrest and detain you if they think you look like you’re going to object to something!

In contrast a completely happy bunch of 20,000 Scots walked across Glasgow to call for our nation’s independence, with no trouble, no arrests – and after all the speeches were finished the organisers cleared up Glasgow Green, with no litter left behind. This is the Scotland I want to see.

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There is no excuse for the actions of the Met Police and the Tory government, who continue to push against basic human rights. We need to escape this increasingly fascist state as soon as possible. I don’t care who wins the next UK General Election, and having the power to shift Keir Starmer to the left doesn’t interest me at all – all I want is for our elected representatives to stop wasting time in Westminster and lead the charge for our independence.

Saturday’s rally clearly showed that the independence movement is alive and well. I am also not willing to wait for political parties to take more time to decide when to act – if the political parties don’t catch up with the indy movement they will fine themselves tossed aside. It’s time for the SNP to focus on the one policy that will improve everything – INDEPENDENCE.

Cllr Kenny MacLaren
Paisley

WITH the independence movement regaining energy recently, there is much being said about starting the hard work of creating a written constitution for an indy Scotland. Everything must be done prepare for day one of independence, and to pre-empt Unionist arguments like “but what currency will you use?”

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However, there is a chicken-and-egg situation here. A written constitution must have input and buy-in from all parts of society, yet Unionists would hardly engage with a process that they don’t want to take effect (similar to an unofficial referendum boycott). If the Yes movement formulate their own document, would this not invite umbrage from those not involved in, or even aware of, the writing process?

Of course, the work must start now: but we must acknowledge that, with the best intentions, we cannot speak for everyone. Surely we should start talking about an “interim” constitution, to bridge the gap from independence day to a fully inclusive and settled constitution written by a People’s Assembly – which would include those who voted No.

Kyle Arnot
Glasgow

ON Wednesday in the House of Commons we heard Glasgow MP Alison Thewliss highlight at PMQs that 13,450 prepayment vouchers have gone unclaimed in her constituency, amounting to £887,000, and that £16.5m in prepayment vouchers have gone unclaimed in Scotland. Prepayment meters are the most expensive form of household heating and are often in homes of the most vulnerable and low-income families, a scandal of epic proportions.

This revelation by Ms Thewliss MP exposes the failure of the government’s system of claiming vouchers, indicating the system is not fit for purpose and is certainly not designed with assisting the most vulnerable in mind. A review is urgently required and must be forthcoming in the interest of future wellbeing, as sitting in the cold is not only uncomfortable for those affected, it has long-term implications for our health services.

Catriona C Clark
Falkirk