Readers' Letters: Starmer should go, before he is pushed

The 26 February Gorton and Dent by-election is just one of many of crucial importance to Labour and they have been denied their first choice candidate, Andy Burnham, by an NEC vote, including that of Starmer himself.

Starmer should go, before he is pushed, as his error-strewn government is going nowhere, not even fast. Another mistake was the still unexplained sacking of Ian Murray, as Scottish Secretary, when he was doing an excellent job. No disrespect to Douglas Alexander, but when do we ever hear of him?

Like many other Labour voters at the last election, I won't be voting for them again under Starmer's increasingly right wing government. There is a vacuum on the left wing, which Zack Polanski's Green Party is fast filling. Their key word is hope, and that is just what they're giving.

Ian Petrie, Edinburgh

Problems abound

Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears to be surrounded by problems with no obvious way out except for resignation.

John Swinney is probably thinking he can reap the rewards from this situation, but is this true? Mr Swinney is, himself, surrounded by intense problems to which he appears to have no answers.

The biggest scandal right now, following on from the as yet unfinished ferries debacle, is that of the serious concerns regarding the Queen Elizabeth hospital. These might not be making the headlines but they have not gone away. Mr Swinney cannot dodge the difficult questions concerning this shocking problem as the Holyrood election nears. Scots need answers, not being sidelined by excuses concerning inquiries.

Adding to Mr Swinney's woes is the heated debate concerning the strange attitude of the SNP to women's rights. Keir Starmer is definitely not the only leader in trouble.

Gerald Edwards, Glasgow

Dark poison

I fear for the outcome of lengthy investigations into Peter Mandelson, as it risks taking the nation’s eye off the real problems related to Keir Starmer’s failed Labour Party.

Forget “Mandy”, our problem is a government that is increasing debt, adding to welfare costs, destroying our education system and failing to fulfil manifesto promises while presenting doctored figures on improvements in the NHS, achieving negative growth in the economy that punishes entrepreneurial business and increases unemployment.

Only 18 months ago, the nation’s cry was “anything would be better than the Tories” but polling suggests the cry is already, “anything but Labour”. In that short time, Labour has even increased the likelihood of a disastrous SNP government extending its period in office, a party with its own dark history of dishonesty and failed leadership,

So, while you grimace at images of the Prince of Darkness on media screens, odious though they are, don’t be distracted from the deeper darkness imposed upon us by Starmer and those who aspire to replace him, some of whom have their own honesty at question.

It’s Labour’s dark poison that has to go, not Starmer alone.

Gordon Watson, Edinburgh

Legal eagles

The report from 10 Downing Street that legal advice left them with no alternative to paying off Peter Mandelson when they sacked him reminded me that in my twenties I had to report to my boss in Standard Life that a ridiculous claim backed by legal advice had come in.

His reply was not that we’ll have to pay but that we’d better get a cleverer lawyer!

Jack Kellet, Innerleithen, Scottish Borders

Dam papers

The SNP are demanding the release of all paperwork relating to the employment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador in the US. The request is a fair one.

What possible defence can they now have for continuing concealment of their own potentially explosive files? There are the QEUH documents, top of the list. Then there are the myriad files on the Salmond and Sturgeon business over many years, still hidden from the view of those who paid the salaries and expenses of all involved.

I am afraid even Alison Johnstone cannot prevent this dam bursting very soon.

Alexander McKay, Edinburgh

MP for footie?

Wouldn’t you love to have a job where you can just take time off work to go to America for the football this year?

A job where you can just decide that, although it is expected that MPs and MSPs take annual leave when Parliament is in recess, you’re going to take time away from your place of work when you want?

The SNP’s Stephen Flynn thinks we, the taxpayer, should understand why he is choosing to neglect his job. What utter disdain for his electorate, those who could be looking for help on issues from their parliamentary representative.

“Need help with a problem? I’m off watching footie. Sorry (not sorry)!”

Is it any wonder that the majority of regular workers have such disdain for the attitude of politicians who decide they’ll take as much time off for their hobbies as they want while the rest will be not able to go as they can’t get time off? If you’re a nurse, a teacher, or a council worker who can’t afford or can’t get the time off, Stephen Flynn is laughing at you!

Jane Lax, Aberlour, Moray

First things

John Swinney is reported as saying “dualling the A9 remains a priority for myself”. This implies it has been a "priority” for some time, in which case why hasn't it been finished? Our poor First Minister seems to have so many priorities that he doesn't know which to tackle first, and as a result, none of them get done.

Should it be completing a couple of ferries, cutting waiting times for hospital appointments, building new social housing, reducing drug deaths. Where does separation come on his list of priorities?

Bruce Proctor, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Not so special K

The K-shaped economy describes the highly uneven post-Covid recovery where some sectors, industries or individuals experience rapid recovery (the upward arm of the K), while others continue to suffer loss and stagnation (the downward arm).

The resulting divergence drives greater inequality and accounts for the significant gap in confidence that exists between those at the top and bottom of the economic spectrum.

We see this, for example, in our economy in the acceleration of digitalisation and growth of AI (part of the upward arm) which rewards digital skills but penalises routine and manual skills (part of the downward arm) – wages and job opportunities in Scotland‘s tech sector (broadly defined) have risen sharply over the last decade but have stagnated in hospitality and retail.

The downward arm of the K-shaped economy also suffers disproportionately, especially so during a cost-of-living crisis. Lower income households end up spending a much higher share of income on essentials such as food and energy, etc. And with fewer new homeowners there are more renters, while city rental values have risen significantly faster than median wages.

Most viscerally, the effects of divergence are seen in the widening gap in mortality rates between the top and bottom deciles of the Scottish population – gaps of 13 years and ten years for men and women respectively, according to Scottish government statistics. Unacceptable!

Do our political leaders get this? There seems precious little in the current policy mix to suggest they do.

Ewen Peters, Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire

Spanish division

Ian Petrie (Letters, 7 February) may be excited about Spain’s desire to grant 500,00 illegal immigrants residency but the view is not shared with the citizens of Spain, where there is fury about the plan.

They see it as a deal between the ruling Socialist Party and the leftist Podemos Party in exchange for parliamentary support for Sanchez’s wobbly government. There is another train of thought that once they are legalised they are free to move within the EU and it is expected that many will depart to Germany and France and who knows where else...

Lewis Finnie, Edinburgh

Go, Gregor

Gregor Townsend has enjoyed nine lives as a coach. Now to focus on two syllables: Towns/End. The latter is the only realistic course of action if Scotland is to get a new beginning.

Tom Heffer, Summertown, Australia

Look away...

I wonder who selected the pale flesh pink coloured strip for the Scotland rugby team’s visit to Italy on Saturday?

From a distance, it looked as if the team players had no clothes on.

Fiona Garwood, Edinburgh

Like twins

Am I the only person who has noted the close similarity between the SRU and the SNP? Both are excellent at making promises but both are incompetent at delivering on their promises.

Alan Black, Edinburgh

Write to The Scotsman

We welcome your thoughts – NO letters submitted elsewhere, please. Write to [email protected] including name, address and phone number – we won't print full details. Keep letters under 300 words, with no attachments, and avoid 'Letters to the Editor/Readers’ Letters' or similar in your subject line – be specific. If referring to an article, include date, page number and heading. And please do ensure any names mentioned are correct.