Party apolitical

Since I recorded my first vote in a general election more than 40 years ago, I have never been a member of any political party, the SNP or any other, nor have I had any inclination to do so. I have no special knowledge of the inner workings of the SNP, nor do I desire to have.

My only interest in that party concerns what I consider the damage that it can do to my children, grandchildren and the country I love. I do not “hate” the SNP or any of its members. That is an emotion that I will leave to the book-burners or those baying at and attempting to silence a political opponent or threatening in cyberspace those who dare to disagree with their dogma. I consider myself one of the silent majority.

He refers to the numbers now flocking to the SNP. This phenomenon and clamour to join supposedly popular religious and political movements has gone on for centuries; it is usually an appeal to those at the bottom of the pile, offering simple solutions to complex problems that generally fade and die as quickly as they sprung.

Included in your correspondent’s list of the countries that have “made it”, the standard SNP spin, he includes the USA gaining independence. As a comparison with Scotland and the UK it is absurd in almost every respect. A much more true North American comparison would be the unsuccessful attempt of the Southern States to secede from the USA, culminating in the civil war of 1861-65.

My objection to Nationalism, in all its forms, is its underlying tribalism and self-obsession. It is always there. These traits are only too evident in the letters of some of your correspondents.

Alexander McKay

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh