IN his interview with Neil Mackay (The Big Read, July 14), Chris Brookmyre expressed his disapproval of religious sectarianism, quite rightly, but seemed to be in favour of the greatest form of sectarianism, ie nationalism - the cause of death and destruction (including two world wars) throughout history.
My employment brought me to Scotland in the early 1960s and I quickly made friends with Glaswegian musicians and, later on, others in wider society. However, I also experienced some anti-English prejudice, in reaction to my accent, and that form of sectarianism has continued to be apparent occasionally. Soon after arrival I switched from the Guardian' newspaper to The Glasgow Herald and recall reading two editorial articles inveighing against "racism", when an English woman had her jaw broken by a lout in Aberdeen and a young man was beaten up in Edinburgh. "Racism" was then a misnomer, I thought then, as most of us are of the same "race" (in addition to membership of the human race).
Some apologists for that form of sectarianism claim it is "civic nationalism", but I fail to see anything civic in the notion that I/we are different (nay, superior) to you/them, by dint of existence on a certain land mass, divided arbitrarily to a great extent. The conflicts between clans, at Glencoe and elsewhere at various points in history derive, it seems to me, from a mixture of irrational egotism and ignorance, apparent in other parts of the UK and the wider world.
M Clayton, Paisley.
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Labour hopes were in vain
SCOTLAND is an attractive and welcoming place as migration doubles to a new high, stated the Equalities Minister, Kaukab Stewart , who welcomed the figures from new National Records of Scotland statistics last week. Many are international students who will help build the economy, increase our productivity and contribute to our communities.
With Scotland having a decreasing population, we need these skilled workers, students and graduates.
How disappointing then that the encouraging words of Dame Jackie Baillie, on a special visa deal to enhance Scottish immigration (like those of Gordon Brown on greater devolved powers, both in the days before the General Election) were soon closed down by Labour Head Office.
Both policies chimed with the views of many in Scotland, but they were announced callously with a view to garnering votes, not enhancing our lives.
John V Lloyd, Inverkeithing, Fife.
Two-child benefit cap must stay
THE SNP Westminster leaded Stephen Flynn is urging the UK Government to abolish the two-child benefit cap. The cap introduced in 2017 prevents parents from claiming Universal Credit or child tax credits for a third child.
This cap is sensible: why should taxpayers pay for a third or fourth or even fifth child?
Some men treat women as baby machines. Remember the payments continue until the child is 16-19 years old if the child counts as a "Qualifying Young Person". Why should responsible taxpayers have to pay for other people's children?
As an MP he should be asking why homelessness in Glasgow has risen and why in June 7,371 people were in temporary accommodation of whom 2,832 were children. As MP for Aberdeen South he should be asking why there are so many employees earning over £100,000 at Aberdeen City Council, which has nine people with an annual bill of £1.29 million and top salary £199,839. He should be asking why Glasgow City has 42 employees earning over £100,000 with highest on £278,469, another five over £200,000 and 10 are on £185,022.
He should be doing something useful for his £91,341 salary.
Clark Cross, Linlithgow.
America's new John Wayne
THERE is now nothing that can stop Donald Trump becoming the next US President. After surviving the attempted assassination by a whisker his popularity rises and he will now romp the election as America's new hero politician.
He is regarded by many as the John Wayne of American politics well sponsored by the gun lobby and fully supporting the American citizen's right to bear arms.
President Joe Biden with his age problems is simply no contest.
Donald Trump says exactly what the American people want to hear and his controversial views on foreign affairs reflect what many Americans believe.
Dennis Forbes Grattan, Aberdeen.
Navy must be prioritised
THE new Government’s Strategic Defence & Security Review must promote a Maritime Defence Strategy.
Britain, and global partners, are threatened worldwide by the aggression of Russia, North Korea, Iran and proxies; China too, sadly.
The sea remains central to national prosperity and security. Ninety-five per cent of trade by volume is in ships. Our merchant navy, responsible for trade and supply chains, is vital to national resilience. Protection of trade is a prime duty of the Senior Service : witness HMS Diamond shooting down Houthi missiles aimed at merchant shipping in the Red Sea.
The Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) and merchant navy are fundamental to our island trading nation but all have too few ships and people to fulfil properly their roles. With geographic realities acknowledged, more ships, submarines and naval aircraft, more sailors and marines, are essential. Urgent unsentimental re-organisation of our armed forces provides the money to equip a more capable navy.
The Royal Navy, RFA and merchant navy operate 24/7/365, in peacetime and war, a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions, protecting and connecting our islands and 14 UK Overseas Territories, working with allies worldwide and promoting Global Britain. In the Cayman Islands, HMS Trent is at the forefront of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Warships and commercial ships provide the UK with considerable utility in the mighty oceans deep. The fleet must have sufficient ships and equipment to fulfil its roles effectively. Si vis pacem, para bellum.
Mark Dickinson, General Secretary, Nautilus International; Rear Admiral Bob Love; Commodore Richard Bridges; Commodore Michael Clapp; Commodore Keith Winstanley; Captain Malcolm Farrow; Captain Martin Reed; Commander Graham Edmonds; Commander Mike Evans; Commander Ed Featherstone; Commander Paul Fisher; Commander David Hobbs; Commander David Wakefield; Lieutenant Commander Bob Eadie; Lieutenant Commander Lester May; Lieutenant Commander Christopher Samuel ; Dr James W E Smith, King’s College, London.
Horse racing is so cruel
IT may be shocking for your readers to learn that in the first six months of 2024, 112 horses were killed on British racecourses. Horses were killed from racing injuries including heart attacks, broken legs, a broken neck and a number of other horrific injuries. There were 299 abuses of whip regulations, including horses being whipped more times than permitted, in the incorrect place and with excessive force.
At Animal Aid, we work tirelessly to track each horse who dies on British and Irish racecourses, as well as abuses of the whip regulations. These figures illustrate the inherent and unrelenting cruelty of the horse racing industry; no animal should be killed, or be made to suffer, in the name of "sport". To read our full report, head to animalaid.org.uk.
Nina Copleston-Hawkens, Animal Aid Campaigner, Tonbridge, Kent.
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