Scotland Matters Letters

I was astounded to hear Health Minister Hurnza Yousaf claim the way he handled the Covid pandemic was one of his major successes when more old and fragile folk lost there lives after being transferred from hospital to care homes without testing. I don’t think families who lost elderly loved ones would agree. Dennis Forbes Grattan, Aberdeen.

At one of the SNP leadership hustings this week, a hopeful Kate Forbes asked “which of us would unionists fear most?” I took two things from this. Firstly, someone who is hoping to be first minister of all of Scotland has an “us versus them” mentality, which doesn’t bode well for the future, especially when “they” are arguably still in the majority. Secondly, the comment shows a lack of awareness. Unionists don’t fear any of these candidates. We view them as lightweights, none of whom will ever lead Scotland to independence. What we fear is a situation where the country drifts and is left behind from political leaders who are not really up to it at Holyrood. What we hope for is someone who can concentrate on the day job and be brave enough to tell their supporters that Indy isn’t likely at any time in this decade and that they need to accept this reality Of course that will not happen, they need to keep up the pretence, it is all they have and they would be lost without it. It is all they have to hide behind. With this in mind, would we not be better off having an election in May? Anas Sarwar, Douglas Ross and Alex Cole-Hamilton have more about them than these three. Victor Clements, Aberfeldy.

The SNP leadership has made its choice of new chief The man who epitomises the Peter principle and who has failed upwards at every brief he has held – transport, justice, health – has the open backing of cabinet secretaries and the more covert support of the old regime, the Sturgeon-Murrell axis. His campaign statements on Twitter are edged with SNP yellow and his Humza For Scotland placards are in the SNP’s black and yellow colours. Angus Robertson, one of Sturgeon’s closest associates, appears on a yellow-framed poster delightedly backing Yousaf. The party has made its choice. But what of the country? Are we to have foisted on us as FM the most incompetent minister in Scotland’s history (with the possible exception of Joe Fitzpatrick)? If so, the problem for the SNP is that Scots may react unfavourably at the ballot box. Still, look on the bright side: it would remove Yousaf from the health portfolio, where he has done nothing but harm. I’d lay a bet that he has thought of that, with relief, too. Jill Stephenson.

The fawning Humza Yousaf has said he wants Nicola Sturgeon to be a roving ambassador for Scotland. The sight of Ms Sturgeon prancing around the globe, taking endless selfies, staying in luxury hotels and spouting her usual insincere clap-trap to world leaders will really go down well with all those Scots who are in financial difficulties or in agony, awaiting long-delayed operations on the NHS. I hope SNP members vote him in. Independence ambitions will suffer a fatal blow with Captain Clueless in charge. Louise Middledorp, Giffnock, Renfrewshire.

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