Letters to the press, 28/03/22: "The problem in Scotland, however, is the vast majority of our 4.3m registered voters are still oblivious to what is going on, wouldn't know a defunct Ferguson ferry if it docked in their back garden, and the opposition parties continually fail to breach this wall of apathy with any compelling, positive, convincing message."

Despite Richard Allison’s accurate description of Scotland’s demise under the SNP and Greens (Letters, March 23) the most recent poll I can find (Panelbase, October 2021) forecasts the SNP vote share to rise from 32 per cent in the 2017 council elections to a 45% forecast in May. So, no bloody nose there, it would seem. Mind you, the same pollster forecast a 46% SNP vote share in March 2017, so perhaps there’s hope. But are people really angry enough to get off their settees and vote them out? In each if the last six elections since 2014 no more than 1.4 million out of 2m No voters in 2014 have voted for the pro-UK parties. If even 100k of the missing 600k get out and vote for pro-UK candidates that could have a disastrous effect on the SNP vote in an election where the STV voting system effectively awards seats by vote share, not the vote-splitting “winner takes all” in a General Election. The problem in Scotland, however, is the vast majority of our 4.3m registered voters are still oblivious to what is going on, wouldn’t know a defunct Ferguson ferry if it docked in their back garden, and the opposition parties continually fail to breach this wall of apathy with any compelling, positive, convincing message. Allan Sutherland, Stonehaven.

The SNP lauded its introduction of the 19p income tax rate to help those on low earnings. This rate however has a cap of only applying up to £14,667. Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, has now introduced the same rate but it will apply up to £50,270 (“Sunak pledges tax break to two million Scots workers”, The Herald, March 24). The SNP has been keen since the Chancellor’s announcement to say that it also has a 19p starter rate but has kept quiet on the top limit for it. Those in Scotland currently pay 41% on earnings between £43,663 and £50,000 – a substantial difference. When the new rate is implemented in 2024, what will the SNP do? Stick to its guns of taxing those in this bracket this higher rate and risk employees seeking work in England, or give Scottish teachers, junior doctors, office staff and others in this bracket the same level of taxation? Scotland already struggles to get staff for our education, NHS and business sectors without discouraging talented people and businesses looking to invest in Scotland. Time will no doubt tell. Jane Lax, Aberlour.

Humza Yousaf claims the SNP did not award the ferries contract to gain good publicity. In a way he is right, as the ferries contract has rewarded the SNP with nothing but bad publicity. It is not Mr Yousaf we need to hear from, it is Ms Sturgeon. The buck stops with her. Gerald Edwards, Glasgow.

The Scottish Government has become more than a somewhat controversial administration. Fewer than half of the electorate support this extremist grouping of SNP and Green Party figures. On their watch, there has been no apparent improvement in key areas of the delegated powers such as health, education and transport, and much help is required from the Westminster Exchequer in matters relating to the economy. Surely it is obvious to all clear-thinking folks that the very idea of Scotland ever becoming independent would be a complete disaster – economically, industrially and structurally. Already under the SNP, the Scottish Parliament has restricted debate on key issues-any dissent to the SNPcause is treated with contempt and derision. Democracy is restricted in favour of what can only be deemed to be a one-party system. Sure-ly none of this bodes well for Scotland’s future? This is certainly not what was envisaged by the founding fathers from the Scottish Labour and Liberal Demo-crat Parties when they created the Scottish Executive in 1999. Their aim was to deal with matters directly relating to Scotland at the Edinburgh Parliament. Affairs of State would still be the prerogative of Westminster. Wake up Scotland, before the present SNP/Green Party joint administration drives this “Wee” country into penury. Robert I G Scott.

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Help get us prepared for the council elections in 2022.

Please donate by clicking the image to the right. No sum is too small. Thank you.

Let’s send the SNP a message!! #NoToIndyRef2 #SNPareNotScotland #Unity

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