Letter: Woman’s work

I caught up with your last Brian Monteith piece in which he implied that the fate of the independence question might depend on the Dear Leader’s life expectancy, according to your correspondents (Letters, 15 May).

Witnessing Alex Salmond’s perspiration, hyperactive snarls and snappiness at First Minister’s Questions I have sometimes asked myself if a First Minister’s lifestyle is conducive to health or longevity, and whether independence is going to kill Alex Salmond as surely as working for devolution did Donald Dewar. I certainly wouldn’t want shares in his insurance company.

The fate of a political party need not hinge on the health of its leader (the Labour Party survived John Smith’s demise) if capable, acceptable and, above all, timely successors are in play.

The inner councils of the SNP can read the runes as well as any of us, and I trust that the plans for succession are in hand… and that young hounds are already nipping at Alex’s heels.

It’s time a woman took the helm anyway.

David Fiddimore

Calton Road

Edinburgh