I READ with interest Jenny Hjul’s column (“Let us be rational again and give Cameron a fair hearing”, The Herald, October 9). Sorry, but I don't recognise this considerate and compassionate Conservatism that worries about the radicalism in our society.
She fails to look at Government policies regarding the military action Iraq, Libya and plight of the Palestinians, the six years of austerity that is attacking the poorest in our society. That's why we have the problems we now have and I don't think a couple of eggs or some bad language comes any were near the disastrous actions of this Tory Government, who came to power by only a quarter of the population voting for them.
That's the real issue, representation, and until the British people get a parliamentary system that's truly democratic then we are only breeding more of the same frustrations which will find an outlet whether it be through terrorism, violence or rowdy demonstrators.
Robert Buirds,
12 Lomond Avenue,
Port Glasgow.
AS one who subscribes to the political concept of rational anarchy though with a leaning towards benevolent despotism (with myself as the despot of course) I consider my world view as inherently positive. It is my firm belief that we are all responsible as individuals for our actions and to try to blame society or government for problems is merely self-deception.
With the above in mind I have to admit that I find the incessant negativity and criticism practised by political parties at Westminster and sadly often at Holyrood as deeply depressing. It seems to be solely designed to stress the pessimistic and antagonistic world view and frighten the poor simple electorate into their camp. It seems that there is no vision, only rampant self-preservation.
We are told that there has been a tectonic shift in UK politics and nothing will ever be the same again, yet we hear the Prime Minister name calling like a schoolboy with his gang of toadies braying like idiots behind him. Closer to home we have the desperate attempts by MSPs to grab a transitory headline irrespective of the fact that their action will achieve absolutely nothing to improve the lot of their fellow man.
Jenny Hjul as usual displays this perfectly with her visceral hate of anything SNP and describes anyone who supports SNP as irrational. Because we question the austerity measures which attack the poorest and defenceless in our country we are labelled as prejudiced. Her description of Cameron's "attack on poverty" is obviously a misprint as it should read attack on the poor,unless she is really advocating an increase in those in poverty.
Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose.
David Stubley,
22 Templeton Crescent, Prestwick.
DURING her bitter diatribe against ''the secessionists''Jenny Hjul states: ''… in August last year when the-then Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy was taking his Irn Bru crate around Scotland … ''
Mr Murphy did not become Scottish Labour leader until December 13 that year.
This is the most glaring of the inaccuracies and twisting of events to suit her argument in the article.
James Mills,
29 Armour Square, Johnstone.
OUR SNP Government has certainly excelled itself recently. It has handed over a lucrative contract for the supply of water from Scottish Water to an English-based private company (“Scottish water loses contract to English firm”, The Herald, October 7) – that is right-wing denationalisation.
Some members of the SNP seem to have been making a fortune by buying up property from people no longer able to keep up mortgage on their homes. Immoral, but not illegal according to the SNP, wh ich is fast becoming the party of the well-to-d o.
Furthermore, the SNP Government, in order to make itself "look good " has refused to allow an increase in council tax for somewhere in the region of eight years. This has resulted in a vast deterioration of services to the vulnerable and in the redundancy of thousands of council employees.
Quite clearly the SNP is the party of the right and has once again earned the title of "Tartan Tories".
W Findlay,
Flat 64, Bishops’ Gate, 20 Kenmure Drive, Bishopbriggs.
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