2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
You think Nicola Sturgeon was divisive? Well, think again
It was the same with Boris Johnson. Rather than supporting Theresa May he worked behind her back to sabotage her Brexit deal in order to become leader. Having achieved that goal he then set about removing from the party those members who expressed concern about his behaviour until his own misconduct proved too much for even his most ardent followers. Is that not a more realistic example of being divisive?
It's perhaps worth pointing out that Nicola Sturgeon became SNP leader after the failed 2014 referendum when nationalism was being declared "dead in the water" by many of the same journalists now giving her the "divisive" label. Yet within a year she had secured an unprecedented 56 out of 59 Scottish seats at Westminster. On top of that party membership rose to a reputed 125,000 under her stewardship. That to me is somebody not just winning over people from the disaffected inside her own party, but also persuading voters from other parties to switch allegiance. So how can that be indicative of a "divisive" personality?
The Holyrood Gender Recognition Reform Bill is invariably cited as the prime example of this alleged divisive style. But there was division within nearly all the parties. Some Tories defied their leadership to vote in favour whilst some Labour members followed suit to vote against. That polarisation was there simply because of the nature of the subject matter rather than a style of government. Despite that Ms Sturgeon persuaded supporters from all parties to unite behind the bill and get it passed. That's why I'm baffled. Is this some sort of Orwellian reprise where unity becomes the hallmark of division?
Robert Menzies, Falkirk.
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The timing is all wrong
Nicola Sturgeon and her publishers might have received a more forgiving reception for her new book if they had allowed more time to pass before delivering her take on events. Instead, feelings are still rather raw on a number of issues and our former First Minister's perspective risks merely confirming that on some critical issues she had little time for the viewpoint of those who did not choose to march in step with her.
Of course, there must be a great temptation for those whose have worked in public life, with all the scrutiny that can entail, to take the opportunity to put their own spin on the big events of their time in the spotlight. Yet it is becoming clear that for Nicola Sturgeon the whole process is fraught with risks, not least because of the timing of her revelations.
The self-identity controversies are still very much with us for example, and someone trying to placate the sensitivities of those on all sides just now is likely to succeed only in further upsetting everyone.
Equally, with Alex Salmond's death being less than a year ago, some will feel it a little too soon to be detailing criticisms and negative recollections about someone who would most certainly have vigorously contested each and every complaint. As for all the divisions and stirring of grievance against the rest of the UK in the context of the independence debate, to say the least it is a little grating to hear that Ms Sturgeon might now choose to live where she wanted us all to turn our backs on, particularly for those of us with friends and family there.
No doubt the publishers were keen to get this book into print as soon as possible, but it would have perhaps been fairer on the public purse if the former First Minister had resigned as an MSP too at the point she stepped down from the top job, to avoid any appearance that she was taking public money for a full-time role whilst putting most of her time and energy into a personal project.
From all that has been reported so far about Frankly, there will at least be plenty of scope for prospective future biographers to get their teeth into given all the selective omissions across the more inglorious elements of Nicola Sturgeon's time in power. Of course her own take has always been that others were to blame, but with that stance she undoubtedly is firmly in the field of fiction, which as luck would have it, is apparently where her writing will next take her.
Keith Howell, West Linton.
What about education?
Given the wall-to-wall coverage and plethora of interviews Nicola Sturgeon has given on the launch of her book it is surprising that no one has asked why she isn't being "judged on education" as she wished when she set out.
I think we can all agree that in that primary regard she failed badly by any number of measures. It is very sad that all the focus has been on gender issues, Alex Salmond, Operation Branchform, personal matters and the like and not on her policy failures on education, the NHS, infrastructure, policing, economy and the things that truly matter to the people of Scotland.
Ian McNair, Cellardyke.
London calling? Really?
Possibly the greatest irony coming from Nicola Sturgeon's memoirs is her declaration that 'she loves London' and may even go and live there. If she does, she will avoid the highest tax rates in the UK but of course, more importantly, is free to move to London at any time as a result of the UK Union – the same Union that she has fought tooth and nail to destroy. You couldn't make it up.
Richard Allison, Edinburgh.
Is there no escape?
Yesterday, a friend in England emailed me to say that she had bought tickets for Nicola Sturgeon's book night in the local branch of Toppings. "Am I mad?" asked my friend. My answer was short and sharp.
Reaching page 16 of today's Herald (August 12), I have seen four photographs of Ms Surgeon, not to mention her being the subject of your page one headline and the first four contributions to your Letters Pages.
I expect that conversation at my golf club will centre on the same.
Is there no escape from this all-engulfing madness?
David Miller, Milngavie.
Was it too soon for Nicola Sturgeon to be criticising Alex Salmond? (Image: PA)
In defence of our freedoms
You report that Westminster's Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'I thank the police for their bravery and their courage in carrying out their diligent duties in the line of public protection' ('Palestine Action supporters 'will feel full force of law', justice minister vows', The Herald, August 12). The police officers on the front line appear to have handled professionally the difficult situation they've been landed with, but how much bravery and courage are involved in leading away women in their seventies or a blind man in a wheelchair? And how much protection do we need from people, average age over 50, sitting peacefully in a public area holding pieces of cardboard?
Andy Stenton (Letters, August 12) points out 'this was a peaceful protest against ethnic cleansing and genocide by Israel in Gaza', but it was more than that: it was a protest in support of freedom of speech and freedom to protest about government action or inaction. These are vital freedoms in a properly democratic society.
Doug Maughan, Dunblane.
Don't let Putin profit
With President Trump in Putin's hip pocket it seems doubtful whether a just outcome of the conflict in Ukraine will ever be achieved.
It seems to have escape The Donald that the aggressor should never be allowed to profit from his actions.
Russia should be made to return to the natural boundaries and be required to finance the reconstruction that will have to follow after any so-called peace deal.
Peter D Christie, Newton Mearns.
