Let’s work to bring the big hitters who lost their seats into Holyrood

There are those that call for the SNP to follow the abstentionism of Sinn Fein and withdraw from Westminster. But a much better policy would be to leave the very able Stephen Flynn and colleagues to get the boot in where possible and instead to concentrate on the consolidation of the SNP team at Holyrood in preparation for the 2026 election.

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I think it very likely that the big hitters who retired from Westminster prior to Thursday’s election, or who have now lost their seats, would be of the mind to keep working for the cause and consequently be willing to stand for election to Holyrood. So let’s work by whatever means to get Cherry, Whitford, Black, Thewliss, Sheppard, Nicolson and others elected to the 2026 parliament.

Also, if the new SNP leadership can bury the hatchet, MacAskill, Kerevan and MacNeil should be welcomed back into the fold, if they are prepared to make a clean start. The odd by-election might provide an opportunity before 2026, otherwise those in question should be nominated candidates for seats vacated by any current SNP MSPs choosing to retire in 2026. Those remaining should be placed high on the list.

Ken Gow
Banchory

I WOULD have hoped that the electoral collapse of the SNP would lead to a thorough examination of the party, its leadership and its priorities and maybe just give SNP supporters the opportunity to put the party on track to deliver independence.

However, the first words from former FM Nicola Sturgeon were the usual – we’ve lost, let’s stop talking about independence! That would be valid if the party was actually doing anything noticeable for independence. Swinney’s manifesto was to reinstate the failed “begging for a referendum” policy – even though Starmer had already ruled it out. Put simply, many former SNP members and current supporters had nowhere to go on election day – the SNP offered us nothing except for failed policies that have split the public, like gender recognition reform or the disastrous ferry contracts. The SNP’s former reputation for good governance is long gone, and unlikely to come back under the new leadership.

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There is a serious problem that support for independence is polling at around 50% yet support for the SNP is struggling at 30%. That tells you that indy supporters don’t believe that the SNP can or will support independence, and Swinney’s move to ask for another referendum just highlights the party’s lack of commitment to independence. We need a stronger strategy, an SNP that works with and not against the independence movement. Talk of shelving independence will only mean more people will turn their backs on the SNP.

The SNP are at a crossroads – if they continue on their failed devolution path, they will continue to lose support and votes and we will be in real danger of Unionists winning the Scottish Parliamentary elections. Time for the SNP to wake up and push independence as the main priority for the party – 50% of Scotland’s voters are waiting for them!

Alex Beckett
Paisley

AS expected, we in the SNP got a drubbing. Hardly surprising given our lacklustre performance over the last year, the ferry fiasco, and our financial woes. It seems our top brass are unable to learn from previous errors. If you play nicely with an English government, you will lose. Their ability to lie, cheat, and prevaricate has no superior.

The only thing an English government understands is a swift buit up the bahookie. Even that will take a while to get through, as with dinosaurs, message perception is slow, and an English government is not a shining example of intellect.

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The Scottish Government must think outside the box. If told no, do it anyway. This means ministers sticking their necks out and taking personal risks. The Scottish public has to be inspired and enlivened.

Scotland’s concerns are transport, NHS, jobs, and welfare. Make a strong financial case for independence and lay the currency bogey to rest, hammer this home. Make sure that both the English government and the Scottish public are utterly convinced of the dedication of the SNP to independence.

We have to work very hard to get a worthwhile majority in our parliament at the next election. A majority which will clearly indicate that the Scottish Government is mandated to act for the sovereign people of Scotland. The people of India, Cyprus, Ireland, and Kenya showed the efficacy of the bahookie kick, but we can apply it without violence.

The SNP must be inclusive, must reach out to all with a serious interest in Scotland’s freedom – even, dare I say it, Alba. Independence requires a concerted effort from all of us pulling together.

R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian

THE Prime Minister has confirmed that the Rwanda deportation scheme is “dead and buried”, and the last two remaining migrants bound for Rwanda will be released. The scheme thought up by the previous PM Rishi Sunak has cost the taxpayer £240 million with zero result. Would it not be a good idea if Mr Sunak, who is reported to be worth £651m, paid the government back. He could afford it.

Mike Fergus
Oslo, Norway