Interactive: SNP won't be gathering any support with Homecoming II

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WITH the recent disappointing general election result for the SNP, plus a few self-inflicted gaffes, Alex Salmond's status could hardly be any lower.

Or at least that's what I thought until he came up with the madcap idea of reprising the Homecoming farce for 2014 (News, 25 May).

The first event was an embarrassment which made a loss, yet somehow Salmond thinks the best thing to do following that flop is to revive it rather than doing the sensible thing and learning from mistakes.

With the recession and rising unemployment, and important services facing cutbacks, it's not as if those in power have nothing much to focus their attention on.

The idea is apparently to mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. A far better way would be to make sure Scottish history gets its proper place in the school curriculum.

The only saving grace in all of this issue is that by 2014, when the News sends its photographers to snap the event, there will be no Salmond holding court.

The people of Scotland have got wise to him and will have dumped him and his cronies at the polls long before then.

Ken Welsh, Easter Road, Edinburgh

Strong case for building VAT cut

NEWLY appointed Lib Dem ministers in the UK Cabinet need to honour their party's manifesto commitment to cut VAT on repair and maintenance works.

The construction sector has campaigned long and hard for VAT in this area to be cut to 5 per cent. A major petition on the Number 10 website, launched by building firm Rok, is due to close on 3 June and has already collected thousands of signatures.

With the emergency UK budget now confirmed for 22 June and mounting speculation that the standard rate of VAT will rise to 20 per cent, the case for a differential on VAT charged for building maintenance and repair works has never been stronger.

A targeted VAT cut would give a major shot in the arm to the construction sector, which has suffered significantly from the economic downturn. It would encourage much greater investment towards greening Scotland's 2.3 million homes and many other buildings up and down the country. At the same time, it would help to equip thousands of young construction workers with valuable green skills.

Michael Levack, Scottish Building Federation, Crichton's Close, Edinburgh

Sevens heaven in Edinburgh again

FOOTBALL is known as the "beautiful game" but for me, rugby is the "magnificent game". This weekend, we are delighted to be welcoming back one of the most exciting moments in the rugby calendar – the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens Festival.

So what is it about rugby that makes it so magnificent? Not only does it demand all the skills required of footballers, but also the extra strength, power and stamina needed for a sport contested by opposing squads of modern-day "gladiators".

The game has certainly changed markedly over the years. The amateur game possessed the chivalry of the knights of old. It was a game about life skills, of fairness, of duty and of loyalty to the team.

Nowadays things can sometimes get a bit turgid and even indecorous, with boring scrum collapses, fighting on the pitch and referees being verbally abused – these things should have no part in the game at all.

However, the Rugby Sevens are always exciting for spectators because the game revolves around speed, ability and intellect. Rugby Sevens show the magnificent game at its very best.

Lord Provost George Grubb

Thinking outside of the penalty box

IN 2014 Scotland will host the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup. Why not make it a hat-trick with the European Champions League football final at Murrayfield?

Murrayfield has hosted football before. Time for some thinking outside of the box.

Andrew JT Kerr, Castlegate, Jedburgh