Why wait, Anas Sarwar? Stand up to Keir Starmer now

I am sure this move has nothing to do with the reaction the party is getting on the doorsteps in advance of three crucial council by-elections, with Labour already suffering recent losses at by-elections in Dundee and Edinburgh.

It has been estimated by the UK Government that an additional 50,000 pensioners will be living in relative poverty next year because of cuts to the winter fuel payment.

As we are hit with plummeting temperatures, Anas Sarwar as Labour leader in Scotland needs to stand up to Prime Minister Starmer now to support our vulnerable pensioners, not potentially wait until 2026.

Alex Orr, Edinburgh.

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• Holyrood is the only way to protect Scotland. Go for it, Stephen Flynn
• Why can't SNP MSPs just own up and apologise when they've done wrong?

SNP MSPs have not done enough

STEPHEN Flynn’s decision to seek to be elected as the SNP candidate for the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine constituency at the next Scottish Election has caused much debate, not all of it edifying. For a start, should he be successful and also decide to continue to represent Aberdeen South as an MSP, it would be misleading to describe that as “double-jobbing” as much of his constituency work would overlap, as would parliamentary\governmental information provision.

While it is understandable that Audrey Nicoll and other current MSPs who are working hard on behalf of their constituents are concerned about apparently inexplicit current SNP internal processes, the fact is that every one of Scotland's SNP MSPs, in spite of disingenuous claims by opposition MSPs, could have done more to advance self-determination and the cause of independence. To my knowledge we have not had many, if any, local conventions on the way forward for Scotland that would stimulate wider debate on Scotland's constitutional future, never mind a national Civic Convention, and I have seen little in local newspapers or on billboards proclaiming the Scottish solution to Broken Brexit Britain which is Scotland’s independence.

Instead Nigel Farage and Reform, backed by those who helped to mis-sell Brexit, are proclaiming at every opportunity that the answer to all of Britain’s problems is to substantially reduce immigration while knowing that such a policy would do significantly more damage to the Scottish economy and our public services.

All SNP, Green and Alba politicians should be more active and more visible in promoting the cause of independence and no MSP should take the representation of their constituency for granted come the next election in 2026. Those earnestly wishing to see independence delivered within the next five years need to raise their game and personally I would welcome the move to Holyrood of Stephen Flynn, and possibly of Stephen Gethins, Dave Doogan and other MPs and ex-MPs, as more talent in our parliament would undoubtedly help to raise not only the level of proficiency of the Scottish Government but the level of the independence debate across Scotland.

Those SNP MSPs already doing a good job on behalf of their constituents, performing competently in government (or in supporting the government), as well as in actively advancing self-determination for Scotland, should not fear losing the endorsement of their constituents. Perhaps it’s being naïve but I would like to think that all current SNP MSPs would enthusiastically welcome a re-vitalised SNP presence at Holyrood, more effective Scottish governance and faster progress towards Scotland rightfully taking its place as an independent nation.

Stan Grodynski, Longniddry.

Westminster is so outdated

GUY Stenhouse recently suggested three ways in which the elections and make-up of the Scottish Parliament could be improved ("Our Parliament has failed us. Here are three ways to fix it...", The Herald, November 16). Some of his suggestions were actually quite sensible, but I would ask him which political party would be prepared to include them in its manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election?

I would also ask him if he agrees with the current constitutional and electoral system which currently exists for elections to Westminster, where there is no written constitution, just some woolly idea of government by convention open to abuse, also an outdated first past the post system of voting, which skews the number of votes cast for any particular party and does not represent the true democratic will of the people.

Finally, does he agree with the totally outrageous, undemocratic, outdated House of Lords where Lords and Ladies are appointed, often through generous donations to the various political parties? We even have 26 Lords Spiritual selected from the Church of England: good heavens!

Perhaps if the Mother of Parliaments could be dragged into the 21st century, there might be a chance for changes and improvements to the way the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood is elected, but at my age, I am not holding my breath.

Alec Oattes, Ayr.

Tax system needs reform

THE first time that I can recall hearing the statement that personal tax is at its highest level ever was when Liz Truss made that comment in her campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party. I nearly choked on my cornflakes when I heard that comment, since I was well aware that rates of income tax were considerably higher in the past than at present.

A 1980/81 summary of tax rates has resurfaced on my desk and I have noted that the basic rate of tax in that year was 30% with the highest rate 60%. In addition there was an investment income surcharge of 15% on such income in excess of £5,500. The current rates are 20%, 45% and nil. At least National Insurance for employees was 6.75% compared to 8% at present.

The problem with tax is not the amount payable but rather the fairness of the tax charged and the whole system needs to be reformed. The taxation system should ensure that those with the means to pay tax should pay their fair share and if more is paid all the better since that will allow the Government to improve public services.

Sandy Gemmill, Edinburgh.

Progress check

ACCORDING to a poll by Angus Robertson’s Progress Scotland a majority (51%) of Scots want the subject of National Insurance (NI) rates to become a devolved matter (“Majority of Scots want NI devolved as farmers revolt”, The Herald, November 20). The poll was taken after the Labour Government’s announcement of a rise in the employer’s rate of NI. I wonder what the outcome of the poll would have been if it had been taken earlier this year after the previous UK government had significantly reduced the employee’s rate of NI.

David SW Williamson, Kelso.

How do tenant farmers manage?

THOSE farmers who own their land and buildings are claiming that margins in their industry are so tight that it is impossible to accumulate any cash after wages and other expenses have been met. However, some 30 per cent of British farmland is tenanted, and tenant farmers will need to meet the same burdens as active farm owners plus pay rent.

Rent is after all a return on capital. If tenant farmers can provide this for their landlords, why can't owner farmers achieve this for themselves?

Peter Fogg, Kilbarchan.

• MILLIONAIRES don' t like paying their due; who knew?

Brian Dempsey, Dundee.

Farmers protesting in London on Tuesday (Image: Getty) BBC must be reformed

I HAVE just had a few days in England and as always watched and listened to the BBC. In England the BBC represents and reflects all the depth and width of that interesting country. Why would it not? The main BBC studios are based in England; the presenters are overwhelmingly English (or “British not Scottish” as Nicky Campbell outed himself as) and the domestic news, politics, history, sports, culture are all about England.

The trouble is when you come back to Scotland (or Wales or Northern Ireland) and the exact same culturally parochial Anglo-centric programmes are broadcast to us. The BBC does not reflect or represent the nations of the UK outside England (BBC Scotland should be renamed BBC North Britain, as it has so little actual Scottish content) as the BBC Charter insists it must.

It is time for a root and branch reform of this broadcaster to give Scotland a fair return (the same per capita spend as England) on our licence fee. They had the basis of a reform with the “Scottish Six” but politics intervened and the dreadful designed-to-fail BBC Scotland channel was the result.

GR Weir, Ochiltree.