Latest news with #PE2135
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
SNP could have got the votes to win had they backed this petition
In the run-up to the by-election the SNP leadership played the well-worn Westminster political 'first past the post' tactic. That is, not to try to promote your own policies but to claim that a vote for your candidate will prevent the 'much worse' party winning the seat. That way there's no need to make any promises or commitments to the electorate, you just claim to be much better than the party you claim is likely to win the seat if your party fails to win it. READ MORE: Israel launches second wave of major strikes on Iran John Swinney insisted on claiming that the outcome of the election would be a win for either SNP or the unknown Reform UK candidate, so that voting SNP was required to stop the neo-fascist Farage bunch from taking the seat, and in doing so, getting a foothold in Scotland. He offered no evidence to back this up, just his own political wisdom and in following this strategy, allowed Labour's 'invisible man' to quietly take the seat with practically no campaign – Labour were probably looking on and thinking it would be rude to interrupt! We now know that John's political wisdom was widely off the mark, indeed his claim that Reform was doing so well probably played into the Farage media hype, which is the core of the Reform organisation, and to that extent helped them in the election. This was a disaster for the SNP, losing a seat that they've held since its introduction in 2011. So again, the only winner was political apathy and disillusionment, with a turnout of only 44.2% compared to 63.2% in 2021, John Swinney seemed to imply this was a reasonable result? I know that in the run-up to this election, the SNP candidate Katy Loudon asked SNP members and the wider constituency for their support. Andy Anderson, the national convener of the Respect Scottish Sovereignty movement, responded to Katy, asking her to give her support to petition PE2135 on Scottish human rights which is currently before the Scottish Parliament. Andy said if she would do this, he would talk to RSS supporters in the constituency and seek their help to get her elected. RSS has about 7000 supporters in Scotland and hundreds of these supporters are in that constituency, so getting their active support for the SNP candidate could have been decisive in the outcome of this election. So how did Katy respond? She didn't. Andy prompted her again. No response. It seems it was more important to the SNP leadership to keep their options open to undermine the UN human rights of the Scottish people than to win a by-election. The Scottish people will not tolerate this, we will persist in our struggle for Scottish human rights and for direct democracy, and this RSS petition is an important part of that struggle. Apathy and political disillusion will not continue to dominate our electoral system. So, if the SNP want a viable political future in Scotland, they had better pay attention to the human rights of the Scottish people and start to respond to this issue. Paddy McCarthy via email IT is always a good way to finish the working week, witnessing the complete meltdown with associated frothing at the mouth of the extremists, those whot love to label themselves as 'Reform'. The followers of Farage – yes, he that is nothing more than a 'market-stall Trump' – dislike having their twisted ideology questioned. Which is in itself a classic reaction by those with leanings towards the totalitarian state. Their disdain for human rights, obsession with national security, and want of suppression of workers' rights all point to the fascist way of thinking. Yet if you were to ask them what their goal is? Their answer is that all they crave is their country back? They are, of course, unable to state where they wish to bring their country back from. But they know that the problems facing the UK could be solved by putting machine guns on the Channel crossing points, kicking out everyone who does not look the same, speak the same, or prays to a different god! After all, are they nothing more than an invasion force sitting in our midst just waiting for the call? Which is similar to the scaremongering used before the start of the First World War. Then it was directed at the German waiters in London, who were supposedly all serving officers in the Kaiser's army. The rancid press also stated that thousand of rifles with even more ammunition had been pre-placed in the UK for use by the waiters/officers! Oh, how they crave to have the country returned to a time of smartly dressed obedient children, with housewives equally smartly dressed doing their daily shopping at local shops. A time that did not exist outside of the BBC. The fascists will not accept that they are being manipulated by politicians who are, by their nature, dangerous, corrupt of ideology, and vile in deed. Scotland as a matter of urgency must separate from that breeding ground of rancid thought that is Westminster. Only through independence and rejoining our friends in Europe (in whatever form) shall we halt this goose-stepping into the abyss of intolerance and authoritarianism. Cliff Purvis Veterans for Scottish Independence 2.0 AN excellent article by Dr Mark McNaught on the advantages of the Efta/EEA over the EU for an independent Scotland (Jun 11). In particular, he calls out the EU's now blatant and highly dangerous military ambitions. What he doesn't mention, however, is that Scotland would be a net contributor to the EU. Latterly the UK was paying around £9 billion annually, the equivalent of more than £150 per adult. Given that Von der Leyen and co are hell-bent on admitting the ultimate basket case, Ukraine, that figure would be a lot higher. George Morton Rosyth
The National
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scotland's planning system is a open door to gold-diggers
Flamingo Land appealed at the end of last year and rather than a public inquiry being held, we have a government 'reporter' who makes decisions on behalf of the Scottish administration, disregarding local democracy. Where do the views of the parks authority, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the transport authorities, the local council and the general public – currently 178,000 of them – come in? READ MORE: Woodland Trust calls on Government to reject Flamingo Land plans This isn't the first time this has happened. Remember Trump's golf course, or the nine fish farm refusals which were overturned? We have a corrupt system. It allows decisions to be made outwith public or parliamentary scrutiny and is an open door for unscrupulous gold-diggers. Writing to planning minister Ivan McKee doesn't address the local democracy deficit nor does it prevent another Flamingo Land. There's another option. The Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 allows for a vote to take place on any controversial content – like this one. The Scottish administration should use it. But if it won't consult the people, Scotland Decides can do it for them. It has a platform for verifiable voting that accords with national and international standards. Concerned citizens just need to register on the Scotland Decides website, as well as sign public petition PE2135 to enact the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which would give the people direct political rights and the right to self-determination. The minister for the constitution, Angus Robertson, has failed to support the petition, which speaks volumes about the seriousness of this administration when it comes to protecting our rights. David Younger Tighnabruaich IT'S reported a city congestion charge in Edinburgh is to be revisited, mooted by Green Councillor Chas Booth as needed for the council to meet its climate emergency commitments. Don't we recognise this to be an outright lie? Were this true then private vehicles could be prohibited – that would impact all equally and help meet climate commitments – rather than a charging scheme that reserves city driving space for the wealthier, driving their large, gas-guzzling SUVs which are the very last vehicles that should be allowed access. READ MORE: Edinburgh residents urge Hearts to do more to stop illegal parking And isn't the move towards electric vehicles – along with the LEZ scheme that was foisted on us – supposed to address climate matters? How many times are we to drink from this poisoned climate chalice? High parking charges, increased licensing fees, LEZ fines, bus lane fines, the iniquitous greed-inspired tourist tax and the whopping savage increase in Council Tax – there's no relief for those subsisting on even just the bare state pension. Isn't congestion charging just another way this city council can dip its greedy fingers into our pockets? Over many years of the larceny perpetrated by Edinburgh's council, citizenship has been rebranded, with us becoming individual cash-generation centres. The galling thing is, where are the improvements to city life that can be laid directly at the door of this cash-guzzling council that cleans the city centre for tourists but fails in so many areas of responsibility like emptying overflowing street bins, clearing weeds, cleaning drains and replacing the unnecessary street furniture and decrepit speed bumps they have inflicted on us? Pedestrianise the city centre, keep private vehicles out, yes. But no discrimination in favour of the wealthy against ordinary folks. NO to any congestion charge. Jim Taylor Edinburgh IN his recent article, Tommy Sheppard states: 'We're all going to die. And we all hope it will be quick and painless ... what if the last months of your life become an endurance test of agonising pain without respite? Wouldn't you want the right to end it? I know I would. And I'd want public health professionals to help me' (Plenty of those with disabilities want to see assisted dying law changes, May 19). I think he will find, if he cares to look at the definition of palliative care as defined by the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, that it covers all the points he raises. The important difference is, however, that the 'assisted dying' provided by palliative care does not seek to help you kill yourself by means of suicide, but seeks to provide adequate pain relief for the mental, physical and spiritual pain felt by the patient and their family. What we need is more palliative care to be made more widely available so that we can each, along with our relatives, be afforded the opportunity to participate in a truly dignified death free from the 'agonising pain without respite' that Tommy Sheppard and others like to reference. Only palliative care at the end of our life can supply that; there is no dignity in suicide. Margaret Tuckerman Buckie
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Why is the Kirk so keen to close down community outreach?
Ms Goring highlights the massive decline in Church of Scotland membership, currently sitting at 68,000 and – make no mistake – due to the current policy of church closures this number will continue to decline. Churches are often much more than places of worship, much more than the House of God. They are often the hub of the community, a lifeline for the lonely, a place of support for those visiting food banks and much more. So why on earth is the Church of Scotland intent of closing the door, shutting down community outreach and now closing down yet another source of outreach, the magazine? Catriona C Clark, Falkirk. Flamingo Land fight goes on Among the many expert bodies which roundly rejected the Loch Lomond Flamingo Land application last year, the most relevant is the National Park's board, whose remit is to protect the land under its authority. Its unanimous rejection of Flamingo Land's plans should have brought this sorry business to an end. Flamingo Land appealed at the end of last year and rather than being heard in a public inquiry, we have a government reporter, who makes decisions on behalf of the Scottish administration, disregarding local democracy ('Ministers refuse to recall decision to overturn block on Loch Lomond plan', The Herald, May 21). Where do the views of the parks authority, Sepa, the transport authorities, the local council and the general public – currently 178,000 of them – come in? This isn't the first time this has happened. Remember Donald Trump's golf course or the nine fish farm refusals which were overturned? We have a broken system. It allows decisions to be made outwith public or parliamentary scrutiny and is an open door for unscrupulous gold-diggers. Writing to Planning Minister Ivan McKee doesn't address the local democracy deficit nor does it prevent another Flamingo Land. Read more letters There's another option. The Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 allows for a vote to take place on any controversial content – like this one. The Scottish Government should use it. But if it won't consult the people, Scotland Decides can do it for them. It has a platform for verifiable voting that accords with national and international standards. Concerned citizens just need to register on the Scotland Decides website, as well as sign public petition PE2135 to enact the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which would give the people direct political rights and the right to self-determination. The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, has failed to support the petition, which speaks volumes about the seriousness of this administration when it comes to protecting our rights. David Younger, Tighnabruaich, Argyll. Discrimination by exclusion Every government and statutory body, health boards, local authorities and any other organisation big enough to think they need it always ask individuals/service users to complete "the attached form on gender and ethnicity". I am in the majority of the population on both accounts but am excluded from adding to the real data breakdown of these surveys. Not one of these so-called surveys allows me to list myself as a white, biological, British male. Why is that? Would collecting that information upset the balance of statistics? Would counting white British of a specific biological gender affect or upset the minority who identify themselves as something other than white British of a certain biological gender? Why should I and others like me be offended without any say about the exclusion of our specifics from all these surveys? These forms discriminate against me and many others. James A Mackie, Garmouth, Moray. Temporary relief As one of the five million-plus viewers a month of channel 328's Talking Pictures, recommended during conversation at my golf club, may I commend Mark Smith on his article ("Ten years on: the TV channel that saved us", The Herald, May 24)? Current television acting does indeed contain so much mumbling that switching on the subtitles becomes a necessity. I am amused by the warnings preceding Rumpole of the Bailey that some viewers may find the language offensive. I suppose that in today's world, Rumpole's references to his long-suffering spouse Hilda as SWMBA (she who must be obeyed) might constitute grounds for divorce. I, too, love the simple, cheap, sugar-laden past quoted by Mr Smith ; the real world, however, beckons. Escapism is temporary. David Miller, Milngavie. Sort of annoying In recent weeks there has been considerable comment on the usage of "so", "well", "look" and "listen" by persons about to comment on an issue. The fault is not exclusive to sporting pundits. Following First Minister's Questions (May 22) a female political commentator used the phrase "sort of " on 12 occasions as she offered her observations on political points earlier discussed. At best "sort of", "kinda" and "y know" are slovenly but also detract from the value of the opinion being made. Am I no' right? Allan C Steele, Giffnock. An impression of how the Flamingo Land development could look (Image: Flamingo Land) Rhyme crime Bob Byiers' excellent letter (May 24) re teachers and their classes reminded me of one morning in distant memory: third or fourth year at morning school assembly, with one of our PE teachers, Mr Chris Begg, on duty in the hall and looking after the hordes of pupils – and grabbing one of the third-year boys who was starting to leave and shouting at him: "Where's your blazer, Fraser?", and the immediate retort from the pupil: "On the peg, Begg!". Brought the place down of course, and brought the belt down on the pupil's hands when he was carted off to the staff room for retribution. Happy memories. Walter Paul, Glasgow.
