I MUST take issue with Kevin McKenna’s argument that Scotland should embrace independence in order to have a “left-wing” government (“SNP is as left-wing as the gold fittings in Trump’s bathroom”, The Herald, March 4). He seems to notice no contradiction in his argument in that the one party embracing Scottish independence is, in his argument, deeply reactionary.

Mr McKenna, I fear, suffers from the “if only” delusion of the Scottish progressive chatterati that Scotland is a left-wing country. The fact of the matter is that since full electoral reform in the 1880s, Scotland has in the main embraced dominant party syndrome, where Liberal, Tory and Labour in their turn have exercised hegemony – usually from a stagnant conservative position. By that I do not mean that some left-leaning policies cannot happen, but in essence government was an engine of patronage distribution and party machines a mechanism for delivering votes through use of that patronage. It was and is a depressing Tammany Hall form of politics and the SNP is merely its latest and best exponents. If we parse its latest shrill demands on Brexit it represents simply demands for power and control and the patronage that goes with it. Never once is any ideological purpose to these demands given, for such would be to disturb the intellectually barren wasteland which is Scottish politics.

So I would say to Mr McKenna that independence is not the realisation of his progressive dream but the final snapping shut of the lock on it. For the tragedy of Scottish politics is not that parties take power but rather that power takes parties. The bland left-wing mouthings that come so easily to Scots politicians conceal a much more unpleasant truth about a stagnant, reactionary and corrupted polity determined come what may to maintain itself in power and using any means so to do.

Hugh Andrew,

West Newington House, 10 Newington Road, Edinburgh.

THE financial direction of travel of the SNP Government is increasingly clear. Higher rate tax payers are to be targeted to pay more than elsewhere in the UK. Council tax will rise only on houses in the higher tax bands, and the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax disproportionately targets more expensive houses. This strategy has already proved to be completely counter-productive, raising £500 million less than previously.

It must be clear to ambitious young professionals that Scotland is not the place for them. How can any country prosper if aspiration is to be knocked on the head whenever possible?

Is this anti-achievement ethos responsible for 14 per cent of newly qualified doctors leaving the country immediately upon graduation? Does it account for the consultant posts lying vacant for six months or more? How do we address the skills shortages if the highly skilled are to be penalised for choosing to live in Scotland?

Scotland is failing to attract migrants in the numbers we need. If we actively discourage the natives from staying, our economy will continue to lag behind the rest of the UK.

Carole Ford,

132 Terregles Avenue, Glasgow.

I WOULD remind Ruth Marr (Letters, March 4) that the Conservative Party manifesto of 2015 included a pledge to hold a European referendum before 2017 if elected. The party was elected and carried out its pledge to the letter.

The result of said referendum is that "we as a United Kingdom" are leaving the European Union.

I voted to remain in the EU. However, as a democrat I respect the will of the majority of the UK electorate and am more than happy for the Westminster ruling party to negotiate an equitable divorce on our behalf.

Archie Burleigh,

Meigle, Skelmorlie.