In my recent correspondence (Letters, July 14), I agreed with Brian Taylor’s article, in that it seems unlikely Labour in Scotland is ready for change in any meaningful way.
Then my hopes were raised reading Shabnum Mustapha's article ("I used to work with Andy Burnham – this is what he is like", The Herald, July 15).
The piece set me thinking that Andy Burnham's talk about further devolution might actually extend to his own party structure, with support for the Labour branch office in Scotland becoming independent of Mother Labour in London.
After all, the Tories enjoyed support from independent political unionist parties in Northern Ireland, rather than having 'devolved' Conservative and Unionist Party offices over the water.
So why shouldn't a Labour party in Westminster enjoy similar support from independent, free thinking, Scottish (and Welsh) Labour parties?
Further down Mr Mustapha’s article we discover that Mr Burnham appears likely to push ahead with 'devolving' more powers directly to cities like Glasgow, which would, of course, welcome any additional power and funding it can get its hands on, from whatever source.
Is this Andy Burnham's change from the way Alister Jack operated when he was Tory Secretary of State for Scotland? Instead of just overruling Holyrood legislation, table an ‘offer you can't refuse’.
If so, nothing has changed other then the method.
Ian Waugh, Dumfries.
More letters...
Johnson cannot escape the contempt of the people of Scotland
John Swinney’s talks pledge rings hollow
Giant? Big mistake
I believe Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy got carried away in paying tribute to Sir Keir Starmer by calling him a ‘giant’ of the Labour movement (“Question Time farewell for Labour ‘giant’”, The Herald, July 16).
I wonder how much this view is shared by those in the Labour movement. Clement Attlee, Nye Bevan and Ernest Bevin readily spring to mind as being deserving of such a description.
If asked to mark his report card, I’d write: ‘Sir Keir tried hard, but lacked gravitas; eventually lost credibility over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador’.
However, what eventually saw him off was losing the support of many of his backbenchers, combined with the ambition of Andy Burnham.
Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.
Middle East: no easy solution
Don Ferguson’s suggestion to solve the Israel/Palestine conflict (Letters, July 16) is a dream, and will never happen.
Maybe if Mr Ferguson could take Lebanon back to pre-Hezbollah days that would be a start. That should be the first task of the “international democratic community” appointed.
Maybe also introduce democracy, freedom of religion and basic human rights across all countries. I can see the benefits of an independent Palestinian state, but suspect it would be taken over by Hamas, similar to Gaza.
We would all love to see an end to the horrible destruction in Gaza and Southern Lebanon. But we can’t ignore Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia et al, where extremism is rampant and human rights nonexistent.
One solution could be for Egypt to agree with Israel to take Gaza into their control. But, of course, they’d need to remove the huge wall at the border and give Gazans Egyptian passports.
There is no easy solution, that’s for sure.
John Gilligan, Ayr.
There will be blood
Most of us are familiar with defibrillators in public places. Indeed, over the last few years they have spread to every town and good-sized village in the country.
On a visit to St Andrews, right next to the defibrillator in its yellow box, I saw a red one. It contained an emergency bleed control kit.
Is this our future – stabbings everywhere, with every urban neighbourhood and every village needing such a bleed control kit?
Wouldn’t it be better to return to a traditional criminal justice system, which deterred knife carrying and violent attacks?
Otto Inglis, Fife.
Why libraries matter
Scotland's recent election tells us something important about the national mood.
The return of an SNP-led administration, the rise of the Greens, the fragmentation of party loyalties, the emergence of Reform UK, and low voter turnout point to a political landscape that is more divided, volatile and uncertain than at any point since devolution.
At the same time, the white paper from COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) on strengthening local democracy argues Scotland must rebuild democratic participation and place power closer to communities.
These are not separate conversations.
The question facing Scotland's administration is not simply how to govern, but how to rebuild trust, participation and civic confidence in an age of fragmentation.
That is where libraries matter.
For too long, libraries have been framed narrowly: as cultural amenities, repositories of books, or discretionary local services under financial pressure. Those roles remain important, but they no longer capture the full significance of libraries. They are democratic infrastructure.
Libraries remain among the few public spaces that are free, trusted, accessible and open to everyone. You do not need money to enter, an appointment or permission.
At a time when civic spaces are disappearing, libraries remain embedded in communities.
The election exposed a growing sense of democratic disconnection.
Turnout fell, political loyalties are more fluid and polarised, and public debate is increasingly shaped by algorithms, misinformation and distrust.
Yet Scotland's government still faces enormous pressures, from public service reform and child poverty to digital exclusion and demands for more local decision-making.
Libraries can help Scotland respond to these challenges. Democracy is strongest when decisions are made closest to communities, but it requires more than governance changes. It needs trusted local spaces where people can access information, build confidence, participate and connect. Libraries already provide this.
Libraries help people access digital public services, apply for jobs, develop literacy skills, connect with communities and navigate complex information environments.
They host community groups, youth activities and public events, while helping people understand online information, artificial intelligence and the digital systems shaping modern life.
Libraries already do the work of democratic participation. We simply do not always describe it that way.
Imagine if libraries were recognised formally as civic participation hubs: places for citizens' assemblies, consultations and budgeting discussions.
Where people develop media literacy and digital skills; and where communities engage with regeneration, climate transition and public service reform.
Much of this is already happening across Scotland's library network.
The challenge now is whether national policy catches up.
If Scotland is serious about prevention, community empowerment and democratic renewal, libraries cannot sit at the margins. They should be recognised as part of Scotland's democratic and social infrastructure, alongside schools, health services and community organisations.
Democracy depends on more than elections and institutions. It depends on trust, participation, shared spaces and equal access to information.
Libraries provide all four.
In the Scotland emerging from the election, that may make them more important than ever.
Alison Nolan, Chief executive, Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), Glasgow.
Fabulous festival
Regarding your article (Glasgow Garden Festival: What’s left of the forgotten ‘dream park’?”, The Herald, July 11).
The 1988 event was surely a massive success, even if not financially.
It brought people from all over Scotland, and further afield, to witness a coming together of cultures and industries. All wrapped up in the beautiful gardens.
My father and I volunteered to help at the NFU farm. My dad was a bit of a pig expert, and was surrounded by people asking questions about the pigs and their piglets.
It was a great day and I’m sure many people look back and bask in lovely memories.
Sheila Kerr, Newton Mearns.
Parent problem
In all sincerity I mean no disrespect to Neil Stewart regarding his suggestion that the parents of school bullies “take up the mantle and teach them discipline and respect” (Letters, July 15). However, I think he’s missing the point.
In many, if not most cases, it’s the parents lack of discipline and respect that’s passed on from parent to child.
Full disclosure: I was a victim of school bullies.
David Clark, Tarbolton.
Clocking on
Would it not be a nice idea, for many reasons, to have the clock at Buchanan Bus Station, created by the late artist George Wyllie, made to work and show the actual time?
Catherine M Bergamini, Glasgow.
Support England? Not likely
I’m sure I am not alone in disagreeing with James Martin (Letters, July 14) who urged me and others to "get behind a very good England side" because their opponents were once at war with Britain.
I cheered long, hard and loud alongside many other Scots who supported Mexico, Norway and Argentina, and any other side facing England. And I’m delighted at their exit from the World Cup.
Having spent half a century living with the braying nonsense of their home win in 1966, I was distraught at the prospect of my daughter facing a similar 50 years listening to the same brag throughout her life.
Mr Martin's risible notion that we should have supported England simply because Argentina invaded the Falklands would preclude us from supporting any country with which England has had a conflict.
That means most of the western world and vast parts of the rest of it. Oh, and Scotland too, remember.
Mr Martin should be mindful that while the Tartan Army were effectively given honorary citizenship in Boston during the World Cup's early stages, the Englander louts who followed debased themselves, and their country, with crude chants about Scottish bagpipes.
Unlike Scots, they are unlikely to be invited back.
Hasta la vista, Senor.
Steve Brennan, Coatbridge.
Loopy loyalty test
Argentine football players displayed a banner dubbed entirely inappropriate, followed by the argument that politics should be separate from football.
I agree.
But why, when England do well in sporting competitions, are we Scots (and no one else) routinely subjected to ‘loyalty tests’ by the BBC, Downing Street and the press over our level of support for English teams?
That’s surely inappropriate for exactly the same reason, but it looks like a nasty display of schadenfreude (it only ever happens when Scotland is eliminated).
GR Weir, Ochiltree.
Honouring true heroes
Perhaps after 64 years of hurt, England will win the next World Cup?
On the positive side, this year’s failure (beaten by a better team) will at least allow a few more deserving unsung heroes to be recognised in the next honours list.
Dr Richard AE Grove, Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire.
Driven to distraction
I doubt if Kevin McKenna will enjoy renewing his driving licence when he reaches 70 (“Artificial intelligence, were it to fall into my clumsy hands, could be catastrophic”, The Herald, July 16).
This old codger has had to do so three times now.
The first two times were straightforward on line.
But this year was a different story.
First stage is to create an account at gov.uk. Second stage, download an app. Next, photograph your current licence or passport. The app couldn't read my licence but managed it with the passport.
After that I had to photograph my face to match it with the passport. Several attempts later, this computer savvy pensioner gave up and posted the form.
I thought the online world was meant to make things easier for everyone, though certainly not in this case.
Codgers beware!
Mick Lee, Kilwinning.
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