During the last week, in the face of evil, love and compassion have been triumphant. As the political campaign resumes, the tragic and mindless events in Manchester should remain uppermost in our hearts and minds. These events should not impact on the election, otherwise we are handing the terrorists a victory. Opposing views may be passionately expressed but in a civilised and courteous manner.

From a Scottish standpoint with the SNP remaining the highest-polling party, the choice is between the narrow nationalism of post-Brexit Tory Britain and the outward-looking, positive SNP working towards a social democratic world order.

Theresa May's "strong and stable" leadership is under fire as she is not being particularly strong or stable in answering policy questions or taking part in media debates.

Theresa "now is not the time" May has called this snap election, with casual disregard for the Fixed-term Parliament Act, not in the interests of the UK but purely in the interest of the Tory Party.

With her hard line towards the EU and the people of Scotland and Northern Ireland over Brexit, this is a sham election which is about consolidating Tory power in light of the coming recession, which under her leadership is inevitable. The only party that can stand up for Scotland in Westminster and co-ordinate an effective anti-Tory opposition is the SNP.

Grant Frazer

Newtonmore