BULLYING comes in many forms. Those attributable to Westminster behaviour are unlikely to be readily admitted by the guilty, whether they be long-serving or otherwise in the House or in “the other place”, particularly if, as alleged, Mr Speaker is a regular culprit.

Quite apart from the now emerging instances of sexual harassment, of accusations of verbal abuse applied to staff etc, the enjoyment of members’ privileges in parliament extends to patronising of opponents, deliberate avoidance of giving answers to questions, filibustering, sneering accompaniment to statements directed at political opponents, and other examples familiar to anyone who watches House activities regularly on TV.

Such behaviour is allowed to pass unchecked by Mr Speaker and one recollects the occasion when he himself ungraciously instructed a party leader to “sit down, young man!”. Also, the title of “chief whip” is recognised as well-earned!

Good government can only be sacrificed by allowing, indeed condoning such behaviour and tactics, but is it at all likely that the House will change the ways of centuries of such conduct, especially when translated as members’ enjoyed and essential privilege?

Thankfully the proceedings at Holyrood are by contrast business-like and in the main well behaved, despite some attempts to emulate the Westminster habits. It is hoped that our Presiding Officer will be able to maintain our present standards.

J Hamilton
Bearsden

DURING Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, an MP asked the following very pertinent question: if the UK doesn’t want a hard border between North and South Ireland and Eire doesn’t want a hard border, who is going to build it? In a Politics In the live discussion following PMQs Jo Coburg repeated this question but received no answers to it. I suggest that this is because it is tactic employed by the EU and its political supporters to prevent Brexit.

Similarly, we are beginning to hear about the sum demanded by the EU in the so-called “divorce settlement”. I have said before, and say again now, that when the EU has its accounts audited and can present a detailed bill to the UK, then and only then can a sensible discussion of the UK’s “debt” take place – but I’m not holding my breath.

As far as I know the EU has never had its accounts audited.

Lovina Roe
Perth

ONCE again the people of Scotland have been sold short by the very people who claim to have its best interests at heart.

Fluffy and the Colonel are threatening to resign from the gravy train (as if?) if Scotland and its inhabitants aren’t the recipients of the same fiscally suicidal deal as Greater England is preparing itself for.

The preservation of the Union at all costs, with Colonel Davidson and Governor General Fluffy willing to use “lang spoons tae supp wi the deil” – or as they are better known, the DUP! The very same people who see the gay community as abhorrent to their Calvinist creed!

Where now, Davidson and Mundell, is your much-vaunted integrity? It is crystal clear you both have neither! You come from a long line of Scottish politicians who see the undermining of your native land as necessary to further your own petty ambitions, to the detriment of all others. Thankfully I can see that you and your ilk’s time is at an end.

If you wish to remain in thrall to Westminster, can I ask you seek your fortune and political futures south of the Border? After all you are at least 70% already there!

I can tell you now, that without your Tory constituencies in Scotland as collateral you will be of little or of no use to the “UK” Tory government.

Sandy Allan
Ellon

I WAS very interested to read the letter from Margaret Irvine, the young lady from Dumbarton, (Letters, October 17), but would like to share a few thoughts with her and your readers.

Firstly, I would wholeheartedly congratulate her on her enthusiasm for independence and hope that she will continue along these lines. A couple of criticisms, however, on other parts of the letter.

I fear that when she says she would rather be part of the UK Government than the EU, she is being sadly misled. If we remain within the UK there is no chance whatever that anything any of us really care about will be under our control, beyond the items already devolved to Holyrood.

There is also a very real danger that these will also get eroded over a period of time by the activities of the London parliament.

Regarding the EU, it is basically correct to say right now that we, Scotland, have no control, because we are not an independent country and everything has to pass through the Westminster jungle.

If we were an independent state (within the EU), we would then have an equal voice in the many policy-making discussions that take place within that organisation, and thereby have our influence on final decisions at that level.

One should also bear in mind that a considerable amount of financial support for all sorts of industries and projects throughout Scotland has come to our country from the EU, and I find it very unlikely that anything remotely like these would be the case if we remain part of the Westminster-UK set up.

In the global conditions under which we all exist at the moment, it is surely beneficial to be part of a large grouping of friendly neighbouring countries, the better to face the challenges which the world will throw at us in the coming years.

George M Mitchell
Dunblane