WE are galloping towards what has to be one of the most unnecessary and, for a huge proportion of the population of these countries which make up Great Britain, unwelcome event, which is already costing an eye-watering amount of our nation’s financial resources at a time when a huge number of people are suffering under the worst cost of living conditions known to man.
Think about it. We have right now some nursing staff and junior doctors, to name just two groups, on strike for a rise in salaries and improved working conditions, yet the Westminster Government says there is no money to meet this and will not even enter into decent talks. But there is, you know, only it is being used for this monstrous coronation event.
If the money being used for this upcoming beanfeast was used properly, it could sort out the problems in the health service for the good of all. I have no problem at all with the new king having a coronation event to regularise his legal position under the laws of the land, but it could be kept simple and inexpensive; a bit like a registry office wedding, the fairly usual location for events involving divorcees. Just get in his late mum’s car and drive to the abbey and get your funny hat on and then maybe go to a fast-food outlet for a quick brunch – his brother knows how to find one! Job done.
For years and years, we have followed the views and opinions of the hitherto Prince Charles regarding the planet, the climate, flora and fauna and all things natural and worthwhile, and it has to be said a lot of people supported him. Since his accession, however, not a sound. Has he lost his view of the future of the planet? Just think of the damage which is going to be done by the emissions from the large array of aircraft which are going to fly over London, plus the hundreds of posh lanes which are going to bring hundreds of so-called “important” people to the event.
Come on, King Charles, break out of the Westminster and London straitjacket; fight for the people, not the huge army of parasitic “courtiers and experts” who are everywhere and of no worthwhile value to the normal person trying to make ends meet.
George M Mitchell
Dunblane
WITH the passage of time, we shed practices and customs that were once common. In this way as a nation we have come to see ownership of slaves as abhorrent and begun to seek ways of addressing the wrongs of our forebears. Similarly, our previous first minister made a formal expression of regret about the practice of burning people (mostly female) accused of witchcraft.
I was reminded of this last week when it was announced that Charles Mountbatten-Windsor will break with tradition and will not ride to and from his coronation in the gold state coach as previous kings and queens of England have done for almost three centuries.
It is not too late for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to reject another out-of-date practice and leave the Stone of Destiny in Scotland where it belongs. The symbolism of English monarchs sitting on a piece of Scotland, plundered from our country in 1296, surely cannot be something he does not understand. If he really cares for this country as he pretends, then he must abandon this disrespectful and offensive tradition, make an expression of regret and seek ways of addressing the wrongs of his forebears. He must then accept his position in Scotland under the terms of our declaration of independence signed at Arbroath seven centuries ago; that is, if he will not uphold Scotland’s freedom, we will drive him out and install another who will make good our defence.
I expect that on May 6, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor will demonstrate an intention to serve as King of England and subjugate Scotland beneath his royal posterior. I will claim the sovereignty that is mine under the Declaration of Arbroath and the Claim of Right and will not accept any monarch who sits in London on a stolen piece of Scotland. He will be no king of mine.
Ni Holmes
St Andrews
IT is suggested that for support for independence to progress sufficiently, the issues of the cost of living crisis, health and education must be addressed. The record of the Scottish Government is frequently attacked regarding these issues by Messers Ross and Sarwar even though the root cause of their problems lies outwith Scotland, in Westminster and beyond. Certainly much needs fixed, but within the constraints of devolution there are very many positives to be proud of.
I was inspired by the Wee Ginger Dug’s column on Monday, April 10 where the author wrote passionately about the excellent and life-saving treatment his mother had been given in an NHS hospital. I think we have all had some experience of the exceptional expertise of our NHS medics.
Within education in the state sector in Edinburgh, I am aware of three comprehensive secondaries who have excelled recently. Craigmount High took their debating teams to the British finals in Durham last month to perform superbly well, finishing above the vast majority of England’s private schools. A concert described to me as wonderful was put on by 180 students from Portobello High at the end of the spring term. The concert featured soloists and orchestras in a wide range of musical disciplines. Leith Academy have the British finals of a technology competition to come in June. Their design of an air-powered replica Formula 1 race car (sponsored by, among others, The Proclaimers) will be tested on the race track against the best of the rest that the UK can offer. These diverse examples reflect the expertise and dedication of staff and abilities of students. I am sure there are very many more examples around Scotland.
The Scottish Government can point to many ways they are ameliorating Westminster’s austerity. Recent examples include the new child benefit and free bus travel for under-23s. There is certainly much to be addressed, but a more positive response to these issues should be taken to highlight what we are achieving.
Campbell Anderson
Edinburgh
I WATCHED Newsnight last week. Unsurprisingly it kicked off with a piece about the SNP’s travails, and even more unsurprisingly, Alex Neil and Alex Salmond were interviewed. About Nicola Sturgeon, Salmond said: “I tend not to kick people when they are down” (could have fooled me there!)
About the Greens, he said, “What Humza should be doing, in my view, is charting a different course on policy, dumping some of the daft schemes like the bottle return scheme and the variety of usually Green-influenced policies that are deeply unpopular. I’d probably get rid of the Greens from the coalition.”
So the planet is burning, folk, animals and vegetation are being decimated, extreme weather events are causing an Armageddon effect on millions of people throughout the world and many are having to flee their countries – why? Oh, it might have something to do with climate change! What political party throughout the world cares the most about this, by a country mile? Eh, I think that might be the Greens with their propensity to propose “daft” schemes to help combat it! The very same party totally denigrated by Salmond and some others in the independence movement. Not exactly an enlightening approach!
Anyway, time for facts. At the last Scottish Parliamentary election, just two years ago, in the regional vote Alba got 44,913 votes (1.66%) and the Greens 220,324 (8.12%). That’s almost five times the Alba vote! Clearly many independence supporters realised the Greens not only want an independent Scotland but one that will still damn well exist!
Their policies? Fast action on climate change; creating jobs through transition to net zero; seamless journeys on public transport; indyref2 if there’s a majority in the Scottish Parliament (which there is because of the Greens!); pay rises for health and social care workers; a radical reinvestment in social security, tackling sexual harassment and gender-based violence and others. What the hell is not to like? I’m proud to say the Greens got my regional vote and will definitely do so again.
To put the difference in popularity into context, Alba got just under twice as many votes as the All For Unity Party founded by George Galloway (remember him!). Also 2.8 times more than the Scottish Family Party, akin to those loveable (not!) “bible-belt” types in America!
Those that are now coming out with anti-Green comments need to realise that electorally, after the SNP, they are clearly the next best asset to the independence movement and are a significant part of it. There seems to be a lot of wishful thinking by some but ye cannae ignore stats and facts!
Ivor Telfer
Dalgety Bay, Fife
IN what may well be my last three years on earth, I see that First Minister Humza Yousaf has set out “his” priorities (A Fresh Start for Scotland, Apr 19): “Equality, opportunity and community.”
Taking the steps to ensure that Scotland takes its place on the world stage, as an independent country, and therefore being in a far more powerful position to deliver on those “priorities”, is not mentioned or even alluded to.
He is pulling back to being a safe English administration, in Scotland, delivering what England will tolerate, and little more.
It was predicted.
While he states quite clearly that it is his responsibility to ensure that every family in Scotland has that equality of opportunity, he fails to point out that the equality he is able to offer is not the standard seen widely in the EU, but only of the far lower level prevalent in England.
As with all politicians, he’s splashing money around, although £56 million would stop me worrying about my looming electricity charges. When it’s offered to builders and contractors, just how many houses could they bring up to a state of excellence for the doctors and other medical staff they’re being aimed at?
And even more jam tomorrow, ferries!
Do we have a minister of state for all our offshore communities?
Would that minister not have had the responsibility to have ordered those desperately needed ferries some years ago?
Having only the same opportunities and equalities for our communities as has England sets a very low bar.
That we are all entitled to share in our food banks, put up with our potholed roads, tolerate our closed libraries, our underfunded NHS and our foreign-biased TV services, is NOT an equality the Scots require or deserve, and yet our FM does not touch on any of these matters – and it seems, does not intend to, for three years at least.
This is just not good enough.
You may not feel that just adding your name to yet another list can help. It certainly can’t, if you don’t!
Salvo is nearing its target and when it does, Scotland will be closer to its freedom from servility than it’s been since 2014.
Our freedom is in our hands. Sign it: salvo.scot/what-can-you-do
Christopher Bruce
Taynuilt
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