Readers’ Letters: Forbes should not have been held back by opposition to gay marriage

Articulating her controversial personal views lost her the SNP leadership election in 2023. Commentators across the political divide were of the opinion that Forbes was the outstanding young talent in the SNP with ideas, energy and intellect, yet her ambitions were thwarted by her socially conservative religious views.

Ironically, Humza Yousaf, who beat her to the role of first minister, as a practicing Muslim shared some of those views. It was more acceptable for senior figures like John Swinney, in contrast to their treatment of Forbes, not to hold Yousaf’s religious beliefs against him. The need for political continuity and to be seen as progressive meant appointing the first FM from an ethnic minority despite Yousaf’s questionable track record at Justice and Health. Yousaf only lasted a year in the top job he craved, due to poor judgment.

While, like many, I disagree with Forbes’ socially conservative positions, to penalise her on grounds of personal belief shows a lack of tolerance and understanding from a party priding itself on what it regards as correctness on gender issues. Forbes has shown great fortitude and stood by her admission of honesty, all too rare among politicians.

John Swinney, meanwhile, needs to learn to back ability rather the continuity candidate and not to appoint his pals. Observing his leadership is like watching a car crash in slow motion.

Neil Anderson, Edinburgh

Left behind

We had a chat yesterday with the tradesman who is doing work on our house. His full-time job is with an Aberdeen engineering company and he told us that in the past two years since Americans bought them they've gone from 100 machinists to one; the work is outsourced in the UK and abroad, then delivered to Aberdeen. So far most of the paid-off staff have work. Like us he is utterly bemused by the UK and Scotland's desertion of oil and gas, and angry that many European countries buy it from Russia.

He told us, as we read, that Eastern Europe, is booming, calling Poland “the China of Europe”. He has thought of going back but the problem is that his two secondary school age kids are so far behind the education level in his home country they wouldn't catch up. He was totally scathing about Scottish education, discipline, standards, no homework and "they're doing ok" parent night feedback when plainly they aren't. Like many, they pay £200 a month for maths tutoring.

Who's to blame? In my opinion it's us, the voters, for accepting the decline happening before our eyes; opposition politicians for going along with all the woke, net zero nonsense; and of course, the actual governments we've had in the last 20-plus years.

This country is being left behind and soon we will be unable to catch up.

Allan Sutherland, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Clear problem

The clarity, or otherwise, over funding for the SNP – and now even the wider SNP-linked independence movement – is under continuing examination. John Swinney would like to move on, but the alarming stories keep coming. The SNP position that no independent inquiry into SNP funding is necessary is crumbling rapidly. To have trust in our highest authorities requires crystal clear honesty. Mr Swinney's refusal to engage further only fuels the public's anxiety over what might be hidden.

The question looming large for the SNP is: why is it being so difficult if it is as innocent as it claims? Holyrood might be on holiday but this boil must be lanced quickly. Mr Swinney has to back down and submit his party, and even the wider independence movement linked to the SNP, to further intense scrutiny.

Does he really still have a choice and is his leadership still secure?

Gerald Edwards, Glasgow

Brilliant Brexit

The prospect of yet another prime minister has, in some people's minds, raised the question of the UK trying to rejoin the EU.

The UK must remain out of the EU to preserve its national sovereignty and democratic self-determination. Inside the bloc, British laws were frequently overridden by unelected bureaucrats in Brussels, eroding the principle that voters should hold their lawmakers accountable. Staying out ensures the UK Parliament retains full control over domestic legislation, taxation and judicial decisions.

Furthermore, outside the EU, the UK maintains complete authority over its borders and immigration policies. It can implement a fair, points-based system tailored to its specific economic needs rather than accepting unconditional free movement. Financially, the UK saves billions in net contributions previously sent to Brussels, redirecting those funds toward domestic priorities like the National Health Service and infrastructure.

Finally, independent global trade allows the UK to strike bespoke, fast-tracked commercial deals with rapidly growing economies worldwide, such as CPTPP nations and India, without being held back by the protectionist interests of 27 other member states.

Doug Clark, Currie, Edinburgh

Cold facts

Government should record the number of deaths during this summer, to compare with those during a similar period in midwinter.

But they won’t, because it will show that cold kills more than heat, and the high cost of wind-generated electricity now prevents people from keeping warm in winter. Still to come, are the power cuts to further increase deaths from cold, and accidents in the dark.

And the hospitals are already full.

Malcolm Parkin, Kinnesswood, Kinross-shire

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