Rich ironies

I think Jim Fairlie is wide of the mark when he writes about the SNP cosying up to the working class while ignoring the middle class (Letters, 29 October).

As used to be said about Watergate, “you should ignore what they say – watch what they do and follow the money”.

In Scotland the money has remorselessly moved from the poor to the well off. Domestic council tax is frozen while local authorities cut programmes and facilities; universities are featherbedded while local colleges have funding slashed; free prescriptions favour those who can 
afford to pay them while the NHS complains about lack of funds.

Despite all this, it seems that the ungrateful middle class voted No. It must be hard being a politician when good deeds go unrewarded.

IAN LEWIS

Mayfield Terrace

Edinburgh

Allan Massie asserts that “over much of Scotland the SNP is now deeply distrusted and resented” (Perspective, 29 October).

He sounds like a Labour apparatchik. Such is the dire state of politics in Scotland that it would require Herculean efforts on the part of the SNP to top the level of distrust and resentment inspired among Scots by the three unionist parties that cobbled together the Better Together campaign.

Can Mr Massie please back up his opinions with some 
evidence.

Robin MacCormick

Dalkeith Road

Edinburgh