Alexander grates

DOUGLAS Alexander (Perspective, 13 October) backs Labour continuing in the same unionist persuasion as the Tory party, albeit to the Left. It did Labour no harm to bring in devolution under Donald Dewar, so what is to be lost from backing independence?

Alexander says it all when he states that “apart from being an anti-SNP party, Labour doesn’t stand for anything any more …” So why not back independence?

Archy Macpherson

Trinity Crescent

Edinburgh

DOUGLAS Alexander’s reluctance to leave the well-paid and comfortable Westminster parliament perhaps shows why the Labour Party is losing support.

For most of the past century, the poorer areas of Glasgow and its surroundings, plus West Lothian, Midlothian and the south of Fife, have had solid Labour representation. Yet during this time the poor have got poorer, with life expectancy in some areas worse than Zimbabwe’s. In his own Paisley seat, unemployment and poverty abound and, thanks to the borrowing policies of Gordon Brown, are not likely to be solved soon.

Mark Boyle (Letters, 14 October) sums up his performance perfectly. Perhaps Mr Alexander could campaign for Westminster next time under the slogan “Vote for me and I won’t bother you for another five years”.

Bruce D Skivington

Gairloch

Wester Ross