There is much to debate on the political scene north and south of the Border at the moment, with Labour’s surprise withdrawal of the winter fuel payment to all but the poorest pensioners and the impending bin workers’ strike the major talking points.

Is there, however, a possible solution north of the Border? Today one of our readers argues that there is.

Alexander McKay of Edinburgh writes:

"There is a solution to what ails the SNP and its inability to maintain essential services in this country. It wails about not having the cash to pay the bin men and avert a devastating national strike. It complains about not having the £100 million per annum to pay for the winter fuel payment. Another of its catalogue of grievances is that it cannot afford to break the two-child benefit cap and wants the UK to do it instead. There is a solution.

All it would take is for Angus Robertson's 'external affairs' department to be dissolved. It devours £300 million-plus a year on projects and expenditure many believe is not remotely within the remit of a devolved administration.

Should this happen, and the SNP closed down the fake embassies, abandoned the overseas jollies for the SNP's boys and girls, cancelled all 'independence' papers, and instead concentrated the available taxes and complete attention was given to running Scotland's internal affairs, it could pay the old folks and the kids and have some spare cash left over."

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