Letter: Negative move

I NOTE from Press coverage over the weekend that the Labour Party is planning to "swamp" constituencies in Scotland with 10,000 party members in the run-up to Thursday's election. It also appears that given Scottish Labour's low membership numbers, many of these campaigners are to be shipped-in from other parts of the UK.

It was insulting enough for Labour to think that by swamping Scotland they could turn around their negative, uninspiring campaign and snatch victory for the looming (and quite deserved) jaws of defeat. However, the fact that many of these Labour members have no connection with Scotland and will have little or no firsthand knowledge of our needs and priorities, demonstrates succinctly the utter contempt that the Labour Party holds for Scotland's people.

Following its unprecedented campaign relaunch last week, Labour's minor change in tack and revival of the same tired broadside attack on the very the idea of independence, despite that fact that independence is not on the cards at this election, is depressing if not predictable.

Perhaps Iain Gray needs to be reminded that this is a Holyrood election and it's not a referendum vote; even if the SNP were to win every seat, Scotland will not wake up outwith the UK on 6 May.

DAVID BALFOUR

Craobhraid na Coilltich

Inverness