IT is really surprising what party conferences reveal. First off the starting blocks have been the LibDems, who have just revealed their second U-turn in a week! First we heard their commitment to the EU is being ditched, yet their main slogan in 2016 was “stop Brexit”, so what has changed? Surely they have not become oblivious to the damage Brexit has done to so many elements of our lives.
READ MORE: Liberal Democrats receive £1 million donation left in will by member
The revelations didn’t stop there. The LibDems have now ditched their commitment to increasing taxation by 1p to fund the NHS. Finally their leader had the audacity to suggest the SNP government in Scotland has made a “total mess of everything”! A claim I would certainly refute, considering the SNP government in Scotland have mitigated against the Westminster-imposed cost-of-living crisis and austerity to the tune of £3 billion. They have introduced the Scottish Child Payment, available nowhere else in the UK, and something the LibDem leader should be embracing instead of criticising.
But let’s be realistic and thankful – with 15 MPs in Westminster, the LibDems are unlikely to be in the position of introducing legislation any time soon.
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk
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 here