IT was rather amusing, though somewhat pitiful, to read of some Labour Party veterans taking exception to Kezia Dugdale deciding to take part in a light-hearted TV show. Do they not know that the days of Old Labour and its successor, New Labour, are now passed. The party is clearly entering a new era, that of Young Labour ("Dugdale is not facing suspension from Labour over jungle TV show ... for now), The Herald, November 22).
It is the young members who are going to lead the party back into power again. They may be flamboyant, but their heads are firmly fixed on their shoulders. They know what to say and how to say it. They are well versed in modern communication methods. They, like Ms Dugdale, are more than capable of using modern communication methods to keep in touch with all that is going on the constituency while travelling, be it home or abroad.
We older party members must be ready to step aside and let the young ones move forward with their new ideas and new techniques. There is, however, still a place for all. Old hands are capable of providing back-up, knocking on doors, manning phone banks and so on.
Let us not forget that we all sing from the same song sheet, a verse of which says: "The time has come for you my son/daughter to keep the red flag flying high."
William Findlay,
Flat 64 Bishop's Gate, 20 Kenmure Drive, Bishopbriggs.
KEZIA Dugdale appears disingenuous when she implies that she is taking part in the I’m a Celebrity reality show to raise money for charity. If this was her motivation she should pass on her television fee in its entirety rather than the lesser sum comprising her MSP's salary.
It is disappointing that she has sacrificed her integrity as well as her dignity by attempting to justify her absence in this manner. I would have been preferable for her to admit that she is seeking to lay foundations for a new career outside politics. This would be understandable given the challenges she has had to face in recent years.
Mike Baughan,
6 Shepherd's Road, Newport on Tay, Fife.
YOU quote Kezia Dugdale as saying that she will go straight to parliament and vote the “minute she gets back” (“Dugdale defends jungle trip”, The Herald, November 22).
Given the premise of the programme she is appearing on, how does she know when she'll get back?
William Keil,
19 Warriston Avenue, Edinburgh.
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