WORRIED about Scotland’s future regarding Brexit, I have been closely following the Parliament channel on days of important debates. So it was with great interest that I watched as Michael Gove took to the dispatch box to lead the debate on ruling out a no-deal Brexit.

I do not share Gove’s politics, but I have always regarded him in a favourable light as a former respected colleague in education taught in the primary school in Aberdeen attended by Gove. There he was regarded as a “polite, well mannered and respectful pupil”.

It was, therefore, a huge disappointment to view his behaviour at the dispatch box. The disrespect showed to members who opposed him in Parliament was disgraceful. In particular, the way that he treated his fellow Scots on the SNP benches – taunting, jeering and bullying them – was shameful.

READ MORE: Michael Gove calls the SNP names rather than debate them

In my career I have attended many local government council meetings where behaviour at times was questionable. But I have never witnessed such crass behaviour when business of such a serious national nature was discussed.

Indeed, at those times mature judgement and attempts to find a consensus in the common interest usually prevailed. It was, therefore, with disbelief that I watched the “hokey cokey” performance by Gove. At such an important time in our national life such childish nonsense is positively alarming.

I see that among the list of names as leadership contenders to replace Theresa May, Michael Gove appears. Given his behaviour at the dispatch box he is not fit to hold a position as leader of his party and possible Prime Minister when the country is crying out for someone who can unite the country at a time of crisis.

“Polite, well mannered and respectful” – oh Michael what has happened to the schoolboy who was a delight to his teachers and why did he turn into the school bully?

Isobel Gibson
Newburgh

I BELIEVE the main reason for the predicament that Westminster finds itself in is the out-dated and undemocratic first past the post electoral system. This breeds in parliamentarians an adversarial attitude of mind which prioritises getting that one extra vote to win over representing the people in their constituency, or, in this case, state.

The adversarial mindset is the cause of the two-party system, where you vote against the party you dislike most, rather than, say, for a party that better expresses your beliefs.

It leads to lies, bribery, character assassination and the infantile behaviour we see in the Commons. It may also lead to the UK’s appalling popular press. No wonder people are disenchanted with politics.

Theresa May’s desperate attempts to blackmail people on all sides to get that one vote over the line to support her deal is an example of that mindset. In contrast, parties get used to having to compromise with others in a proper proportional representational system.

Isn’t it time the UK changed to a grown-up system of democracy? I hope it’s not too late. As the saying goes, democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.

Jean Hall
Via email

I AM in complete agreement with George M Mitchell’s letter (Blackford rises above mindless bickering, March 15).

I am not, though, a member of the SNP, never have been and never will be. I am a socialist (of sorts) and have spent my entire adult life detesting the lousy, rotten capitalist system and will continue to do so.

But Blackford and his equally excellent comrades have certainly fought Scotland’s corner with a tenacity and a patriotic passion that compels me to applaud and greatly appreciate their endeavours on our nation’s behalf.

Norrie Campbell
Campbeltown

ONE aspect of our service offering is to support vulnerable children and young people with mental health problems. We were therefore pleased to note the call by Holyrood’s public audit committee for research to be commissioned on the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, amid a rising demand for services.

Mental health referrals for children and young people increased by 22% in the five years to 2017/18, when 33,270 were made. This has included an increase in issues around emotional distress in young people at school arising from bullying, body image, depression and anxiety.

There are links between unhealthy social media use and poorer mental wellbeing in children and young people, but we need to gain a better understanding of this and the impact on rising numbers.

Education has a vital role to play in helping young people to use social media appropriately, including the pressures that can be associated with its use. It should be noted that many schools in Scotland are doing fantastic work in this field.

Preventative action and early intervention measures have key roles to play in addressing issues around children and young people’s mental health, and research on the impact of social media must play an essential part in this.

Lynn Bell
Love Learning Scotland CEO