I'm concerned about the SNP's strategy for Hamilton by-election
Considering the SNP claim to currently have around 60,000 members, the 100 or so folk (and customary cute dug) on parade represented a pretty disappointing turnout. Of course the SNP had more than 120,000 members in the days before Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf. Considering that around 50% of the electorate claim to support Scottish independence, I hope the ratio of independence supporters to actual SNP voters at Thursday's by-election is a lot better than this. The turnout will be important and will help decide the eventual winner.
READ MORE: Scottish Labour councillor defects to Reform UK
I am both concerned and fascinated by the strategy that seems to be driving the SNP's campaign. Instead of leading on the positive case for independence, which already enjoys 50% support, John Swinney has been promoting the negative idea that Labour have already lost and their supporters should vote SNP just to keep Reform UK from winning the seat. This is a very dangerous strategy. There is a serious chance that some Labour voters will see Reform, and not the SNP, as their second choice.
The bookmaker's odds on Reform winning the seat have shortened from 10/1 to 4/1. The SNP have everything to lose. Reform will claim even a moderate increase in their vote as a victory.
John Baird
Largs
I THINK the SNP must put indy first in 2026 for two reasons.
1. It would virtually guarantee a win for the party.
2. It would show the world the desire is still there.
I know we would have to win in a Westminster election, so that General Election vote would be confirming the 2026 result.
If SNP don't do something major on indy, they will pay a heavy price for decades.
It's time to act. I hope the party gets it but I have my doubts.
They don't want to mention it.
Bill Robertson
Fife
READ MORE: I was blocked from asking Keir Starmer a question. This is what I wanted to say
SO, Starmer thought he'd been given a political gift horse after Farage decided to veer away from the ranting gripe-fest that has made him popular and actually comment on economics.
The PM said Farage's policies would create a huge deficit (£50-80 billion) with Truss-style chaos.
My question would be – who does Starmer think is listening, among the rabid anti-migrant ranks (the ones he's been openly courting)? These are folk who were happy to trash the entire economy for a blue passport and some xenophobia.
Starmer's gift horse is a political turkey – like the one Brexiters voted for…
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh
THANK to Robin McAlpine for taking our Scottish Government and its processes to task (All the reasons why approving Flamingo Land's plan is wrong, May 27).
Can I add a wee bit to the arguments? Robin failed to mention one of the 'voices behind the throne' – Scottish Enterprise. The 'arm's length' government body renewed its exclusivity agreement with Flamingo Land (for the second time) just in time for the developer to lodge its appeal at the end of December last year.
However, Scottish Enterprise seems to be a law unto itself AND has no remit to consider communities or our environment.
Willie Oswald
Blanefield
RECENT statements by Bono and Thom Yorke condemning Benjamin Netanyahu's government as extreme are welcome, but come far too late to carry moral weight. The extremism in question has been entrenched for years – in law, in policy, and in the lived experiences of Palestinians subjected to blockade, occupation, and systemic violence. To speak up only after catastrophe has unfolded is not moral courage; it is moral caution.
Thom Yorke's questioning of why Hamas has not released all remaining hostages is similarly misjudged. It fails to reckon with the parallel reality of Israel's own extrajudicial detentions: namely, thousands of Palestinians held without charge or trial, many of them children, activists, or people merely caught in the gears of occupation. Calls for accountability must run in both directions if they are to carry credibility.
READ MORE: Nigel Farage denies Gaza genocide and backs weapons exports to Israel
The goal must not be a mere halt to hostilities that locks in injustice with a quieter tone. A political stand-off where we say 'we've gone too far, let's just stay here' would condemn future generations to a fragile, poisoned peace. What's needed is something more demanding and transformative:
– the safe return of all hostages and detainees held without due process, regardless of nationality;
– the dismantling of illegal settlements and a full withdrawal from occupied Palestinian territory;
– international reparative investment to rebuild the homes, hospitals, water systems, and lives shattered by siege and bombardment;
– and most crucially, a truth and reconciliation process, grounded in justice, equality, and shared humanity.
Only this kind of reckoning can break the cycle of vengeance and ideology. And only a peace unsullied by religious nationalism – of any and all hues – can be called just.
Ron Lumiere
via email
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