Letters: Globalisation and big banks seem to be an enigma for the left

Mr McKenna, in so far as it is possible to make sense of his argument, seems to suggest that class, not feminism, anti-racism, multi-culturalism, environmentalism or other social issues are at the heart of politics.

I would agree with this, but Mr McKenna offers no definition of what he means by working class when he criticises liberal elites for patronising them.

Traditional working-class issues like wages, jobs, health care, education are of course core but it could be seen as equally patronising of the working class to suggest they have no grasp of, or interest in, wider global and social issues.

We live in a world dominated by the social and economic relations of capitalism, not the idealised capitalism of perfect competition and lots of small producers but the capitalism of globalisation and big banks. 

Read more by Kevin McKenna:

• The counterfeit left failed on Trump - and will lose Holyrood
• This is the heart of Scotland’s ongoing, west coast Cold War
• We can never have too many immigrants or refugees

The socio-economic group hammered by the banks following the capitalist financial implosion of 2008 were not the working class but the small business sector. The left fails because it has no serious analysis of this system, and certainly not the Labour Party. 

Mr McKenna attacks the “counterfeit left” and claims they are rejected by the working class because “they know what the real left looks like and what it means to be a socialist.” 

The one socialist leader of a major party elected in my lifetime was Jeremy Corbyn. Look how the British state in all its forms reacted to him.

Why doesn’t Mr McKenna attempt to ask why this was? Why doesn’t he attempt to say something meaningful about class and the true nature of the British state? This would be serious journalism and analysis.
Brian Harvey, Hamilton.

The appeal of populism
IN recent years, populism has often been incorrectly cast in a negative light, but it’s time we recognise its crucial role in restoring power to the people and defending the values of hard-working citizens.

At its core, populism champions the voices of ordinary people, particularly the working class, who have long been overlooked by elite decision-makers. It reminds political leaders that their duty is to serve the many, not the privileged few.

The appeal of populism lies in its commitment to local communities and protecting our livelihoods. Rooted in common-sense values, populism calls for transparency, fairness, and accountability. It supports preserving our industries – keeping manufacturing, farming, and fishing jobs in the UK – and ensuring that Scottish and British jobs are prioritised. Populism also recognises the need for sensible immigration controls and secure borders to safeguard resources and maintain fairness.

Across the UK, populist movements have rightly advocated for free speech, better wages, affordable living costs, and accessible healthcare – concerns that are central to the working class. True populism unites citizens under a shared vision: a government that serves and respects the people. Populism is a force for democracy – a voice for those who built and sustain our society.
Councillor Alastair Redman  (Argyll and Bute Council; Independent, Kintyre and the Islands Ward), Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay.

Lineker for Chancellor?
THE news that President Trump has chosen Pete Hegseth, a Fox News “personality” and news host, as America’s defence secretary is both highly funny and deeply worrying. What next, Gary Lineker as the next Chancellor (as Sir Keir’s economic plan sinks ever downwards), or perhaps Foreign Secretary? Gary after all, knows about money, and has played footie in foreign climes: he may even know that Dover is a major port, which is more than Tory-wannabe Dominic Raab did.
GR Weir, Ochiltree.

 
Mending fences with Trump
OUR First Minister gambled with Scotland’s future and lost by backing Kamala Harris and now we need to repair relationships with President Trump as he won the American election with a whopping margin and control over the Senate and, probably, the House of Representatives. He is now the most powerful man in the world and needs to be treated with great respect as he can help Scotland in many important economic ways.

John Swinney has congratulated President Trump but it sounded somewhat hollow coming just after he declared his support for his opponent. As First Minister he should be reminded that he speaks for all of Scotland and not just the SNP.
Dennis Forbes Grattan, Bucksburn, Aberdeen.

Cue for SNP infighting 
TO no-one’s surprise, Stephen Flynn, SNP MP, has announced his candidacy for the Aberdeen and West Kincardine seat as an MSP at the 2026 Holyrood election. The fact that there is already an SNP MSP for that seat, Audrey Nicholl, has not deterred him. Nor has the fact that he sits as one of nine SNP MPs. 

For the 2021 election, the SNP adopted a rule that no sitting MP would be eligible to stand for an MSP’s seat without first resigning his/her Westminster seat. This was widely seen as a move to prevent Joanna Cherry from challenging Angus Robertson in the Central Edinburgh MSP constituency.

Will that rule stand in 2026? Stephen Flynn thinks not. It was, he says, “election-specific” – good for 2021 alone. Ms Cherry, who will not contest an MSP seat in 2026, says that it was, rather, “person-specific” – that person being her – and that it has served its purpose.

An additional factor is that there are over 35 SNP former SNP MPs, casualties of the carnage suffered by the party in July 2024. Those looking for a new comfortable berth at Holyrood in 2026 won’t look kindly on someone like Flynn who aims to double-dip until the next UK election. We can look forward to some lively SNP infighting over constituency seat selection for Holyrood 2026.
Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh.

* ALEXANDER McKay (November 12) gives his own version of why Stephen Flynn looked so unhappy at the Cenotaph. Perhaps the basic reason is that Mr Flynn is not a British nationalist, but still considers that the war dead should be honoured. Which is more or less my position. 
Iain Cope, Glasgow.

The mirthless comedy at No 10
THE post of Envoy to the Nations and Regions can surely be known as the job that never was, with Sue Gray deciding that the role was not for her, and Downing Street agreeing with her. Strangely, No 10 had previously insisted that the envoy role would be “vital” in “strengthening our relations with the regions and nations”.

Will anyone now be drafted in to fulfil this “vital role”? Given that Ms Gray did not attend last month’s first meeting of a new Council of Nations and Regions, one can only assume that Sir Keir Starmer’s former, controversial Chief of Staff thought her new job was mince, and that view seemed to be backed by a Downing Street source who admitted that “no-one can work out what it is”.  The whole chaotic episode brings to mind an episode of Yes, Prime Minister, but minus the laughs.  
Ruth Marr, Stirling.

Welby’s resignation
WE welcome the resignation of Justin Welby after the, crucially, independent Makin report found that Church of England leaders “knew at the highest level” about John Smyth’s abuse of hundreds of children in its care. We expect many more resignations to come. It is the least they can do to acknowledge the suffering of survivors.

We don’t doubt that there are many soft-voiced vicars who harmlessly celebrate Christian ideas with their small coteries of elderly believers and so long as this is done privately we have no argument.

The problems begin when established status gives it stewardship of Armistice commemorations, tax funding to run schools according to its own beliefs, unelected seats in government, and the privilege of marking its own homework when horrifying abuses like this are discovered. With disestablishment, the C of E will be free to thrive or fade under its own steam and be subject to the full scrutiny of law which applies to all.
Neil Barber, Edinburgh Secular Society, Edinburgh.