AS we slowly digest the result of the American presidential election we are also reminded of the systemic institutionalised racism in the upper echelons of government in the UK.
The Prime Minister’s patronising and overtly racist remarks at former President Obama’s expense have been resurrected following Joe Biden’s victory and Mr Johnson is still regarded with some scepticism by the Biden camp, being labelled a “shape-shifting creep” by some.
READ MORE: Unionist peer slammed for 'repugnant' racist remark about Kamala Harris
Predictably, the election of a woman of colour as vice-president has rattled the cages of those embedded in the xenophobia, racism and misogyny of the British political establishment.
Step forward John Taylor, formerly of the Ulster Unionist Party and Baron Kilclooney, his ridiculous title in the House of Lords. A gentleman well known for his far-right opinions, Taylor has referred to Kamala Harris in a derogatory fashion as “the Indian”, demonstrating breathtaking ignorance and prejudice.
READ MORE: Kamala Harris: Lords speaker demands apology for Unionist peer's racist remark
That an 82-year-old man whose contribution to political life in the UK has been to spread hatred and division can sit in an unelected chamber and be rewarded to the tune of £320 daily for spouting this odious and rancorous bias is beneath contempt. Not only does it emphasise the depth of discrimination amongst many of the privileged political dinosaurs who inhabit the House of Lords, it also reminds us of what is so rotten at the core of the UK establishment.
The UK political elite are, by their very nature, conceited, condescending and contemptuous of individuals and groups not in their perceived social class or divide. Just like Messrs Johnson, Raab and Farage studiously avoiding making any comment on flagrantly undemocratic suggestions by the Trump camp not to count legitimate votes, it appears there are no depths to which their allies in the House of Lords will not plummet to keep the policies of the far right in the political gutter. Scotland needs out of this disunited and corrupt kingdom as soon as is possible.
Owen Kelly
Stirling
CONGRATULATIONS to the USA for ending the nightmare that was the Trump presidency. President elect Biden along with Kamala Harris will take the country back to their true place in the world.
They will rejoin the World Health Organisation, Nat, the Paris Agreement and all the other major world institutions that Trump rubbished.
I am so jealous that the US had and took the opportunity to rid themselves of the madness. If only we could have the opportunity to kick out Johnson and his rabid right-wingers, and even at this late stage rid our country of the madness that is Brexit.
Harry Key
Largoward
I SHOULD like to congratulate Peter Kerr on his long letter, in which he encapsulates once and for all the incontestable case for the self-determination of Scotland. He has highlighted the malignancy and poison which Johnson and all who voted for him have bestowed on this country.
READ MORE: Britain is no longer a civilised society – it’s about time we left
We have also been reminded of the racist remarks he made regarding Barack Obama, which does not bode well for his relationship with Joe Biden. Trump has brought the standing of the US to what may arguably be the lowest point in its history. His “good friend”, the only example of arrested development ever to inhabit 10 Downing Street, has done no less to this country. The red flags went up when Trump said “they call him the British Trump.” To all Johnson voters, I would invoke the well-known Scottish maxim: “Well, ye ken noo.” I would also recommend them to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, “You have done that you should be sorry for.”
Joe Cowan
Balmedie
PETER Kerr’s long letter (November 9) is for me the best reader letter I have ever read. They way he rips apart the Brexit farce and Trumpism is superb and his conclusion about our society now is spot-on.
Robert Anderson
Dunning
I’M delighted with KM Campbell’s corrective to the disproportionate attention paid to Sean Connery’s role in the overblown Bond franchise (Letters, November 6).
As a working-class actor struggling to make his name, Connery would have found it impossible to refuse the money and fame the role offered. Only later would it become evident that the whole Bond concept was nothing but a symptom of the British national inferiority complex, Britain “in denial” in the face of its descent from empire to second-rate world power.
READ MORE: Sean Connery never gave in to British imperialism – neither should we
The fact that the Bond films are still struggling on is evidence, if it were needed, that the fantasy is still bolstering up the British imperialist mindset. At that emotional level,
the mindless, visceral fury felt by British nationalists at Scottish secession is a symptom of the same post-colonial insecurity.
Derek Ball
Bearsden
WHIT’S goin oan wi a they squibs every nicht noo? Guy Fawkes has nuthin tae dae wi Scotlsnd. Ma wee dug is usually quite joco goin oot for a last walk aboot nine. But no noo, and the wee fox in the field across the road has done a runner. Can we no jist ban fireworks a the gither?
Rees Anderson
Kilbride
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