Victor Clements' letter (February 9) regarding the ineffectiveness of unionist parties in Scotland points to the urgent necessity for a strong, united opposition to the SNP. As we approach the next Scottish parliamentary election, it is glaringly evident that without a cohesive strategy among unionists, the likelihood of challenging the SNP's dominance remains perilously slim.
John Swinney's government has often operated under a shroud of controversy and mismanagement, whether it relates to failing schools, crumbling infrastructure, or healthcare challenges. Yet the unionist parties have too often refrained from offering a compelling narrative to expose these failures and advocate for a more viable Scotland.
As Benjamin Disraeli famously declared, “the secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes”. The unionist parties must prepare now, galvanising around well-developed policies that reflect the aspirations of all Scottish communities, from the Highlands to urban centres.
These parties must create inclusive dialogues, shedding their historical rivalry in favour of a collaborative spirit, as the stakes could not be higher. The potential fragmentation of the unionist vote plays directly into the SNP's hands, enabling it to consolidate power without accountability.
Moreover, the current political environment requires a focus on solutions rather than just critiques of SNP policies. Whether proposing innovative educational reforms or sustainable development plans, unionists must showcase their readiness to govern effectively.
The time to act is now, and unity must be at the forefront of the unionist agenda. A vibrant opposition is essential for the health of our democracy and for ensuring that diverse voices across Scotland are heard and represented. Only through unified action can the unionists aspire to reclaim Scotland's political future from the SNP's grasp.
A united opposition is not just necessary; it is imperative for Scotland’s future within the United Kingdom.
Alastair Majury, Dunblane.
• I agree with Gerald Edwards (Letters, February 9); all too often Holyrood's opposition parties seem to be either in "cosy consensus" with the Scottish Government, or AWOL.
For example, where were they three years ago when the SNP horribly botched the ScotWind auction, losing at least £15 billion to our coffers (according to Common Weal)? That sum equates to some £3,200 for every adult in Scotland, and over 20% of the new budget.
George Morton, Rosyth.
Read more letters
- Unionist parties in Scotland simply aren't good enough to oust the SNP
- Can anyone tell me the point of having all these Scottish Labour MPs?
- So remind me: what is the point of all these SNP MSPs?
A long time waiting
We're told by Shona Robison that the SNP is planning consultation on council tax reform – though with no change implemented before the 2026 election – after we learn that half of Scottish homes are in the "wrong" council tax band. The SNP pledged a complete overhaul of Scotland's local levy system in 2007, and absolutely nothing has happened yet. Don't hold your breath, folks.
Martin Redfern, Melrose.
Change is desperately needed
No matter where you look, whether it be education, NHS or the economy ,you are drawn to the same conclusion: that the SNP is bad for Scotland.
In 19 years it has had track record of consistent failure to tackle any of the devolved responsibilities and has trashed performance indicators in all areas.
Scots living abroad are questioning why the SNP is still in a minority government despite this very poor record. Hopefully next year's Holyrood elections will be the trigger for desperately-needed change in Scotland.
Dennis Forbes Grattan, Aberdeen.
Thank goodness for the Greens
Kevin McKenna's interview with Fergus Ewing MSP uses misinformation to sling mud at the Green Party and anyone else concerned for the environment (“SNP stalwart Ewing: ‘Greens are actually Trump’s little Scottish helpers’”, February 9).
The only fact quoted by your journalist is "fracked gas from the USA and Qatar is nearly 80kg of CO2 per barrel". He fails to mention that 90% of our gas imports are from Norway via pipeline, matching the very low CO2 footprint of our own North Sea production. Imports from the USA and Qatar are a tiny fraction of overall consumption and therefore irrelevant.
Furthermore, UK demand for gas continues to fall as renewables have overtaken gas as our primary source of electricity generation.
Kevin McKenna parrots the claim from oil giant Equinor about the Rosebank field being "electrification-ready". This does not mean it will be electrified from day one. Absolutely not. They will consider importing electricity from shore only when they can no longer generate electricity from burning produced gas, many years into its lifetime.
The oil and gas lobby knows it is on the wrong side of Scotland's energy transition and is desperate to capture politicians across the political spectrum. Thankfully the Greens are there to provide some balance.
Jeff Rogers, Banchory.
Brutal attack on architects
Derek McArthur wonders why architects are querying historical accuracy in the film The Brutalist (“Architects hate acclaimed film The Brutalist… who cares what they think?”, February 9). In doing so he suggests they are somehow missing the wider picture. But with any historical film, taking unwarranted liberties with reality can distort what actually took place.
The film Battle of Britain is widely regarded as one of the best aerial warfare films ever made precisely because its director Guy Hamilton stuck rigidly to historical accuracy rather than making a film full of jingoistic propaganda in order to attract bigger audiences. It became a blockbuster because of that, not in spite of it.
I haven’t seen The Brutalist but it’s deeper message seems to be about an immigrant architect and Holocaust survivor who expresses the trauma he has experienced in Europe via the stark concrete forms which he employs in his buildings as he tries to build a new life in America. But these forms gradually start to echo a further trauma as he realises that as a Jewish immigrant he will always be classed as a second-class citizen in the eyes of many in the promised land, no matter how hard he tries to assimilate. This is particularly relevant given the current intemperate nature of the immigration debate in the US.
The article’s reference to Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead is equally apposite because Donald Trump claims to follow the neoliberal ideology first promulgated by Ayn Rand in the 1940s and which places individual thought above collective thought.
Her novel has as its hero an architect Howard Roark, who is put on trial after he blows up a tower block in protest against the developer deciding to change Roark’s modernist style for a more traditional classical façade. Roark deemed this to be stifling individualism in favour of populism.
The irony here is that Donald Trump – the arch populist – has previously declared himself to be a fan of Howard Roark. This is despite him having just issued an executive order stipulating that henceforth only classical architecture is to be used in the design of federal buildings as opposed to the more brutalist styles that had become popular under previous administrations.
To add insult to injury he has now persuaded Mark Zuckerburg to remove any blocks on freedom of expression on his social media platform whilst at the same time choosing to deny architects one of the principal means by which they can express themselves freely. Genuinely – you could not make it up.
Robert Menzies, Falkirk.
Inappropriate language
Despite huge efforts to tackle stigma relating to serious mental illness in recent years, it is alarming that one of Scotland's national newspapers is still using language that relates to mental disorder in an inappropriate and stigmatising way ("It's clear Scottish politics is now in the hands of a psychotic elite", February 9).
Psychosis is a serious but treatable condition. Sadly, people with psychotic illness often experience stigma, discrimination, and marginalisation. Careless use of language can make this worse.
The use of the term "psychotic" in this article as a pejorative, negative term is not only extremely unhelpful, it is inaccurate and stigmatising.
Whether working in print or broadcast, everyone who deals in the profession of words should be more thoughtful of language. The National Union of Journalists has guidelines for responsible reporting on mental health and the Samaritans offer a very good media toolkit on this subject.
Over the years, the media have done a great job of raising awareness of mental health issues which has been instrumental in changing public attitudes, but as this opinion piece seems to suggest, we're not there yet.
Dr Jude Halford, consultant psychiatrist and member of the devolved council at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, Edinburgh.
• Sadly, once again I must take issue with Kevin McKenna over his Diary. On February 9, he claimed: “Our politics is now in the hands of a psychotic elite”. Psychosis is regarded as a mental illness. So, he is basically saying that those who disagree with him politically are mentally ill. That could be described as "Trumpian" logic, Kevin.
He may claim it’s just his humorous way of expressing things. I suspect that no-one affected by mental illness will find it funny.
Douglas Morton, Lanark.
Extend offer to Israeli students
The proposed offer of new scholarship places to Palestinian students by Aberdeen University ("Aberdeen University announces new scholarships for Palestinians", February 9) is a laudable action, but I wonder if a similar offer will be made to Israeli students affected by the Gaza conflict? The latter were also "at risk and displaced" as a result of the attacks by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, and since that date. Some Jewish youngsters will have suffered personal injuries in those actions, others perhaps suffering trauma from rapes and observance of atrocities, so a period of study in Aberdeen might work wonders for their physical and (particularly) mental health.
I hope the university authorities in question do not assume that Jewish people, widely acknowledged to be devoted to education (leading to many achievements in the arts and sciences), would not require such scholarships.
Michael Clayton, Paisley.
