World power

Alex Salmond’s recent outburst of “fideism”, especially as foreign affairs spokesman, rightly concerns Keith Howell (Letters, 5 September).

But what purchase over reality in global geopolitics does the SNP have either in Westminster or Holyrood? Take for instance the deepening conflict over territorial sovereignty between Russia and Ukraine in eastern Europe.

Foreign relations are not on the radar of the SNP being neither in the European Union or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Another example is the recently negotiated détente between the United States, the European Union and Iran.

Mr Salmond is more than likely to be affected in his “own backyard” as cheap Iranian oil floods the market.

Arguably, the main political reason for this particular foreign affairs spokesman being appointed was to head off open conflict in the SNP’s parliamentary party.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire