Readers' Letters: Forget SNP infighting and focus on real issues

Euan McColm clearly sets out the deceptions being peddled by both the Conservatives and the SNP (4 April). But he also maintains that the constitution is what this election is all about.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

There are very many people who don't think the constitution is anything like the most vital issue to be spending valuable parliamentary time on right now; nor does Willie Rennie, as is clear from other pages in the same edition. The Scottish Liberal Democrats are bringing forward a grown-up manifesto that recognises the need to devote our energies to getting education back on its feet, revitalising the National Health Service with particular emphasis on improving mental health provision, sorting out the crisis in care, and putting the economy back together with the potential offered by environmentally focused jobs.

That, surely, is the agenda we need; it does the electorate a disservice for all the media's attention to be on the dog-fights between Salmond, Sturgeon and Ross on a putative referendum. Let's look at what really matters – at what will aid recovery – instead.

Colin Brown, Dudley Gardens, Edinburgh

Fight for food

The Trade Justice Coalition Scotland brings together 22 Scottish organisations and includes trade unions, NGOs and local campaign groups which represent thousands of people across Scotland . Currently we are very concerned about trade deals the UK government are negotiating in the aftermath of Brexit. Trade deals have an impact on local communities and it is important that the UK Government is not allowed to get away with agreeing deals which could damage our local public services such as the NHS – for example by allowing big companies a chance to make bids to run some of our NHS services.

It is also important to ensure any trade deals the UK Government reaches do not lower food safety standards and other regulations that protect public safety and the environment. It is vital that people know the food they eat will not damage their health.

The Trade Justice Coalition is calling on people to ask their local candidates for the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections in writing or at meetings if they think that the NHS and food standards should be protected in any future Trade Deals which the UK government agrees with other countries – and whether, if elected, they will speak out in opposition to any deals that might threaten those things. The content and quality of trade deals affect local communities and should be an issue at every election. Let’s make it an issue at this year’s Scottish Parliament elections.

Arthur West, Annandale Way, Irvine

Not so super

I'm unclear regarding the current preoccupation with the issue of a "Supermajority" of seats. The forthcoming election is via Proportional vote whilst any future Referendum would be via Popular vote. Ninety seats resulting from 49 per cent of the vote would not constitute a mandate, albeit 51 per cent would. Votes moving among independence parties may change the seat numbers but not the votes total. Plus, allowing a 90-seat Parliament based on 49 per cent voting to have total control of timing, question and "rules" would be wholly inappropriate.

Whilst the SNP was happy to negotiate with Westminster when it was polling at 29 per cent last time round, it seems it would want to change the goalposts now that its numbers have risen.

Callum Towns, Edinburgh

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