A COUPLE of weeks ago we had William Mountbatten-Windsor on TV telling us how we could end homelessness. Now we have his stepmother coming on our screens to lecture us about domestic violence. It is almost as if someone has told her that if she wants to be liked, she needs to be more like Diana. This is a family of shameless self-publicists.

These issues do not exist for them to use for self-promotion in the form of TV shows. They hoard wealth that could resource real change yet as much as they do is parade past the poor, the homeless, the sick and victims of abuse feigning interest before returning to the relative safety of their palaces.

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We have well-qualified people professionally involved in these issues. It is those eminent figures that we should be listening to, not the wife or child of Charles Mountbatten-Windsor who sit atop a social structure that in itself impacts negatively on the poorest and weakest among our population.

We must stop the sycophants from fawning over the monarchy. We should call on the media to stop promoting the monarchy as anything other than the repository for an obscene amount of inherited wealth and privilege. We should not allow ourselves to be distracted from real issues because any of the royal family use them to create a pretence of holding any social relevance.

Once we rid ourselves of the monarchy and stop squandering our resources on that outdated and irrelevant institution, we might be able to devote ourselves properly to the pursuit of social justice that should be the heart of an independent Scotland.

Ni Holmes
St Andrews

I THINK Balmoral Castle has just thought of a price and tripled it (‘Out of touch’: Balmoral launches shop selling £962 tartan throw)! These prices are obviously set to fleece the gullible American tourists out of their loot. Mind, if they’re stupid enough to vote for Trump, they’ll be stupid enough to pay these pimp prices!

Steve Cunningham
Aberdeen

IN recent years, populism has often been incorrectly cast in a negative light, but it’s time we recognise its crucial role in restoring power to the people and defending the values of hard-working citizens.

At its core, populism champions the voices of ordinary people, particularly the working class, who have long been overlooked by elite decision-makers. It reminds political leaders that their duty is to serve the many, not the privileged few.

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The appeal of populism lies in its commitment to local communities and protecting our livelihoods. Rooted in common-sense values, populism calls for transparency, fairness, and accountability.

It supports preserving our industries – keeping manufacturing, farming, and fishing jobs in the UK – and ensuring that Scottish and British jobs are prioritised. Populism also recognises the need for sensible immigration controls and secure borders to safeguard resources and maintain fairness.

Across the UK, populist movements have rightly advocated for free speech, better wages, affordable living costs, and accessible healthcare – concerns central to the working class.

True populism unites citizens under a shared vision: a government that serves and respects the people. Populism is a force for democracy – a voice for those who built and sustain our society.

Councillor Alastair Redman
Independent, Kintyre and the Islands Ward

THE business in the House of Commons on Monday started with questions to the Minister for Work and Pensions and unsurprisingly the massive issue of the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) was very dominant. This time it was the issue of claiming Pension Credit to become eligible for the payment that was on MPs’ lips and in particular the three-month delay for applications to be processed.

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As SNP MP Kirsty Blackman pointed out, temperatures are predicted to fall this month and many pensioners are living in fear of switching on the heating, a terrible indictment of the Labour government. The government minister responsible suggested local authorities should be assisting! Is the minister not aware of the current pressure on local authorities to provide local services? The government are merely passing the buck.

One appalling figure highlighted in the House of Commons was that 70% of disabled pensioners will lose their WFP – surely unacceptable to MPs of all parties. The impact of the withdrawal of the WFP will result in this policy being a false economy, as the NHS will no doubt find out to their cost.

Catriona C Clark
Falkirk

NO SNP party member/politician should run for a seat in Westminster. I think it is absolutely hypocritical to have anything to do with Westminster and Union politics. Holyrood is our Scottish Parliament, where we should be giving vent to our desire for independence and taking time to make the case to Scots. Stephen Flynn should make up his mind on independence and act accordingly. It is cowardly to challenge a popular SNP politician for her seat in Holyrood. What a jerk! And he is seen as an upcoming leader. No way.

Charles McLaren
via thenational.scot

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I SEEM to recall that Alex Salmond served in both position quite effectively. That D Ross couldn’t says nothing about Stephen Flynn’s ability to do so. I think, however, that in the current situation, it makes much less difference who is SNP leader in Westminster. They are there as a punching bag without even the ability to respond. Flynn needs to be in Holyrood, however that happens.

Jeanne Tomlin
via thenational.scot