Give us full fiscal autonomy to put an end to SNP whining

However, the biggest and most consistent grievance by nationalists is that somehow we are being shortchanged by Westminster and that we only get back a pittance of what we send despite GERS figures tell us the opposite on an annual basis. Needless to say the SNP foments the myth, otherwise its main argument for independence would be dead in the water. What to do about it?

In my view there should be a referendum, not on another “once in a generation” independence, but whether we should scrap Holyrood or do the very opposite: have full fiscal autonomy.

As a businessman my experience spans both pre-devolution and the current situation. There is no doubt things were far more effective before devolution came under the governance of the SNP which has become highly politicised and divisive. However, full fiscal autonomy (not a penny of Scottish money to Westminster other than to service existing debt and 2% for defence) also has its attractions as it would force the Scottish Parliament to take full responsibility for raising all its revenue and deliver spending priorities like funding pensions with an ageing population yet still balance the books without the Barnett formula (and the Westminster credit card). Furthermore, we wouldn’t then require both MPs and MSPs as one lot could do both jobs.

The status quo is proving a disaster for Scotland.

Ian Lakin, Aberdeen.

Yousaf fighting the wrong battles

AS the SNP joins Tory MPs in calling for a motion of no confidence in the Speaker, the nationalists are also reportedly considering a campaign of "disengagement" with day-to-day Parliamentary activities. While it could be argued that the SNP has been treated inappropriately, is the party choosing the right battles to fight?

The SNP, faced by strongly resurgent Labour in Scotland, has tumbled in the opinion polls with experts predicting significant seat losses at the General Election. Yes, of course SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and First Minister Humza Yousaf will construct tortuous arguments that flawed parliamentary procedures and strict Commons procedural precedents not being followed mean that Scotland should be separated from the rest of the UK, but does this actually signify anything much to many of us?

Aren't most of us more concerned about the SNP's management of the NHS, schools, and roads and public transport? Isn't our focus, despite the efforts of front-line professionals, on the widening educational attainment gap, ever-growing NHS waiting times, and the SNP's failure to launch ferries and dual the A9?

Far be it from me to provide practical tips on what the SNP should do to retain seats, but this strategy is looking like its most serious error since selecting Humza Yousaf as First Minister.

Martin Redfern, Melrose.

READ MORE: How can we Scots possibly respect or trust Westminster now?

READ MORE: We are all in danger when extremism becomes mainstream

READ MORE: We cannot solve the Gaza problem. But we can solve our own

Please stop the showboating

I WRITE in total exasperation on reading and hearing on nearly every news outlet, on a daily basis, that our SNP leaders, ministers, MSPs and acolytes seem to be obsessed with matters happening everywhere else on the planet, except it appears, in their own back yard.

Wouldn’t it be refreshing and novel to hear some impassioned debate in the chambers of both Holyrood and Westminster about real announcements of measures that are actually being put in place, now, to sort out our broken road and ferry transport infrastructure, our beleaguered NHS, our scrambled education system, our stretched to breaking point care provision , broken promises, shelved plans?

The fact is, our so-called politicians are way too busy showboating in the media or in public. They are keen to be seen championing causes and highlighting injustices that bear little or no relevance to the reality on the ground here, in their own back yard, Scotland.

As citizens of this beleaguered country we should be reminding these highly paid representatives of the people why they have been elected to their respective parliaments. They have been entrusted to govern this country, fight for the rights of our citizens and grow our economy and society in a practical and sustainable way.

Enough of the faux outrage, the huffing and bluster and finger-pointing. Can we please have some adult, educated, literate government?And if you could manage to “show us a new boat” anytime soon, that would be a bonus.

Colin Allison, Blairgowrie.

• SO the SNP is spending more of the money which should be spent on Scottish needs in foreign aid ... this time to Malawi ("£500,000 to help charities tackle food insecurity", The Herald February 24). They will receive a further £500,000 while we who pay taxes to this SNP Government are getting less and less.

While Malawi might need money, foreign aid is the role of the UK Government. So the next time the SNP says it doesn't have enough money from the UK to fund schools, roads, education, health and the like, ask how much it gave away on foreign aid.

Elizabeth Hands, Armadale.

Slap in the face to Scotland

IT is shameful of Carlos Alba to suggest that Stephen Flynn was more angry at the "breach of protocol" in the Commons last week than he is about the horrors which continue to unfold in Gaza ("Did Flynn get his priorities wrong?", The Herald, February 28).

Mr Alba admits that Sir Keir Starmer "sought to amend" the SNP's Opposition Day motion to "head off an embarrassing rebellion" by Sir Keir's Labour MPs. The Speaker, who is supposed to be impartial, knew exactly what he was doing; Sir Lindsay Hoyle is a former Labour MP, his actions suggest that he still is. And how can anyone have confidence in a man who has rejected an application by the SNP for an emergency debate on Gaza, when it was Sir Lindsay himself who proposed such a debate? Are Mr Flynn and his colleagues supposed to laugh off the whole frustrating episode?

Many MPs report that on the subject of Gaza their mailbags are heavier than they have ever been. SNP Members of Parliament, like all MPs, are there to represent their constituents, and the SNP holds the majority of Scottish seats at Westminster. The actions of the Speaker, in following the wishes of the Leader of the Labour Party, is a slap in the face not only to the SNP, but to Scottish voters. It tells us all we need to know about Westminster's attitude to Scotland. But then, we knew that anyway.

Ruth Marr, Stirling.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (Image: PA)

Independence must come first

I WORRY Scotland will never change in my lifetime and will not stand up for itself.

When I read your columnist Neil Mackay ("SNP claims to stand up for Scotland. But it has failed us", The Herald February 27) it is obvious Mr Mackay and other members of the Scottish media are against the SNP.

But they refuse to accept, or even understand, that the only way to end more than 300 years of English rule is to vote for independence.

Let's get that vote and then decide whether the SNP, Labour, or god forbid, the Tories, are best able to provide the future we all would like to see in Scotland.

Why can't critics of the SNP accept that when Scotland is allowed to run its own affairs, and that can be by any party, it can use its vast resources to benefit everyone in Scotland?

Andy Stenton, Glasgow.

Get the Letter of the Day straight to your inbox.

It's time they admitted defeat

NOTHING in Scotland is working, from late ferries to violence in the classrooms and almost everything in between. The much-promised free school meals are now under financial threat too. The Scottish Government is not focused on any of its core responsibilities. As time passes this appears to be because it is simply not capable.

If the SNP/Green coalition really has Scotland's best interests at heart is it not time to throw in the towel and let another party try? There is no shame in admitting defeat but there is a great deal of shame in prolonging the agony for an entire country.

Dr Gerald Edwards, Glasgow.