Party principles

How very noble of Ian Johnstone (Letters, 6 August) to champion principle in favour of electability for political parties.

Perhaps an SNP-supporting stalwart like Mr Johnstone (judging by his letters) could inquire why that very laudable principle was abandoned by the SNP when then leader Alex Salmond unilaterally overturned the party line on the monarchy some years ago. So much for the SNP’s principles.

Mr Salmond famously retorted that the party’s line on the monarchy made them “unelectable’’.

ALEXANDER MCKAY

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh