Kevin McKenna ("Only profiteer vultures give a Friar Tuck about John Swinney’s reshuffle", April 13) perfectly encapsulates the mounting frustration among Scots regarding the lack of effective governance under the SNP. With John Swinney at the helm of key ministries, one would expect a proactive approach to Scotland’s most pressing issues; however, the reality paints a starkly different picture.
Winston Churchill once remarked: “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Yet Mr Swinney’s tenure has been marked by stagnant policies and insufficient responses to the growing challenges our nation faces. From a beleaguered educational system barely holding together under the weight of funding cuts to a healthcare crisis that threatens the lives of our most vulnerable, it is evident that the Scottish Government is failing to adapt to the needs of its citizens.
Our education system, once a point of national pride, has been left to languish. The alarming reports of under-resourced schools and increased class sizes must not be overlooked. Scotland’s children deserve quality education, yet Mr Swinney’s focus seems to be more on maintaining political optics rather than addressing these critical deficiencies. Education cannot simply be a slogan; it requires tangible investments and a commitment to student outcomes.
Moreover, the healthcare sector is on the verge of collapse, and the Scottish Government's response has been woefully inadequate. With rising demand and tighter budgets, healthcare professionals are struggling to provide the level of care our communities need. We hear of overworked staff and inadequate facilities – but what we need is a commitment to reform and proper funding based on realistic assessments of the matters at hand.
Recent talk of a reshuffle is a concerning signal that the SNP is more focused on political manoeuvring than meaningful change. When leaders prioritise political games over genuine community engagement, they disrespect the very electorate they seek to serve.
It is not merely enough to shuffle around responsibilities; effective governance necessitates adaptability, responsive policies, and a commitment to grassroots concerns. Scottish voters demand leaders who actively listen to their needs and respond with robust, data-driven strategies rather than empty promises.
Let us be clear: Scotland is at a critical juncture, and the time for action is now. We must instigate a movement towards leadership that hears the voice of each citizen and strives to address their needs with integrity and conviction. The path ahead must focus on collaborating with local communities to craft solutions that enhance our education system, safeguard our healthcare, and secure our economic future.
Scotland’s citizens deserve dedicated leaders ready to confront and resolve our mounting challenges, not scattershot political manoeuvres.
As we navigate these turbulent waters, let us insist on a new wave of governance – one grounded in accountability, diligence, and respect for the people it serves.
Alastair Majury, Dunblane.
Ministers' pay hike is outrageous
It is quite outrageous that John Swinney is giving SNP ministers a £20,000 salary increase in the face of absolute failure in every aspect of devolved responsibilities.
Education, health and the Scottish economy are all performing very poorly and getting worse every year under the SNP, leaving a once-proud Scotland as a sad, broken country.
Dennis Forbes Grattan, Aberdeen.
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A commissioner for prisoners
Andrew Tickell mentions the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill which seeks to create a Victims’ Commissioner ("New bill will protect victims but the 12-person jury is out", April 13). According to the bill the Commissioner’s function is “to promote and support the rights and interests of victims and witnesses.” (cl.2(1)). There is no similar proposal for a commissioner for prisoners and their families. Why? The duties of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS) extend to inspecting prisons and related services, but not to advocating for prisoners.
The issue is not rhetorical. Politicians already make changes to laws which directly affect prisoners without ever consulting them. Change to electoral law is one example. It was left to third party organisations, such as Howard League Scotland, to argue for the principle of all, rather than a select few, prisoners being allowed to vote.
There is no body which has the legal duty to promote and support the rights of prisoners’ families. Again, this is not a rhetorical issue. A prisoner may suddenly and without warning break all ties with their family. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) take the view that it is for the prisoner to decide what information to pass on to their family, even where there is no contact for an extended period (such as 18 months, as happens).
In each example above a commissioner would have the legal duty and authority to act for prisoners and their families and press for change. Third parties which do this work already do not have the resources required and, crucially, they do not have the legal duty and authority to act for all prisoners and their families. The point therefore is straightforward. If victims and witnesses need a commissioner why is there no need for a prisoners’ commissioner? Perhaps there is no proposal because, at heart, we do not want a commissioner advocating for prisoners and their families and seeking change on their behalf.
David Logan, Milngavie.
Navy's flawed mission
Under the radar (perhaps literally), the Head of the Armed Services, Admiral Sir Tony Radakan, spent last week in talks with his counterpart, General Liu Zhenli, in Beijing. Like the visit by Trade Minister Douglas Alexander, there has been little media coverage but the meetings are timely with the world’s two economic superpowers at loggerheads. The Chinese Defence Ministry said they discussed military cooperation and the importance of peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Strategic Defence Review (compiled by Lord Robertson) will soon land on Whitehall desks. Said to be “transformational”, it will be worth reading the section on projecting our naval power on the other side of the world. In 2021, when the CSG (Carrier Strike Group), led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, sailed to the Indo-Pacific region with Type 23 Frigates and a Type 45 destroyer (it broke down), it went on joint military exercises with Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, then later with the USA, Japan and India, who have significant Asian interests. We don’t.
We were told the Royal Navy was enforcing FONOP (Freedom Of Navigation Operations) in the South China Sea. The area is disputed with China threatening to take over Taiwan. China has the largest, fastest-growing navy on Earth with hundreds of warships with DF 100 hypersonic anti -hip ballistic cruise missiles which can sink an aircraft carrier.
When the CSG sailed in 2021, Ben Wallace boasted “the mission projected Britain’s influence on the world stage in a way no European nation could match”. I am struck how similar Defence Secretary John Healey’s recent comment on this mission is: “We are promoting peace and stability across the world”. HMS Prince Of Wales, with frigates, destroyers and an Astute class submarine are embarking on, seemingly, a mirror image mission on April 22.
The problem with this deployment (other than the eye-watering expense) is that it leaves the UK to be defended by the remaining 24 warships many of which are the Type 23 frigate rust buckets. The new frigates (the Type 31e at Rosyth and Type 26 on the Clyde),will not join the fleet till 2028-2035. It will also be seen by China as unnecessarily provocative, blatantly giving the illusion of global reach for electoral not strategic reasons. The deployment should be cancelled.
John V Lloyd, Inverkeithing.
Nazis in the Kremlin
Senior Russian ministers are repeating their insulting demand for "denazification" of Ukraine.
The Nazis are in the Kremlin and nowhere in Ukraine.
The Nazis have always been in the Kremlin. They were when they planned together with Hitler in 1939 to devour Poland, then the countries on the Baltic Sea, then all Europe.
The Nazis of Russia are still congratulating themselves on winning in 1945 the war they helped Hitler start in 1939.
They never congratulate any war effort like the liberation of France in 1944 by millions of allied soldiers from every continent. They had demanded that for years to take the heat off themselves.
The Nazis of Russia never thank the British merchant seamen who struggled and braved hostile submarines and battlecruisers to bring Arctic convoys of war material to the far north of Russia. The Russians gave trainloads of war material to Hitler every day from September 1939 to June 1941.
Who is it that needs denazification? And demilitarisation? There would be no war if Vladimir Putin took his armies back to were he got them.
Tim Cox, Bern, Switzerland.
Perry was not empowering girls
Katy Perry went into space to empower girls. It was a private flight to the edge of space, either costing $114,000 dollars or free if it turns out it was paid by Jeff Bezos. How does this empower young girls into space travel or the industry?
Most people who get involved are usually from the forces, in particular the Air Force. In fact, so far only 56 women from around 330 million Americans have gone into space. It would appear that an over-hyped American pop star has only got thoughts for herself if she thinks that this is going to change very much by her actions.
Again we have an example of selfish people attempting to pretend that they can make a difference to lives of ordinary people.
John Russell, Airdrie.
