STV as a platform for strong women, not the SNP?

In response to The SNP have even managed to ruin Hogmanay – 31st December 2015

Just to clarify- I am not and never have been a member of the SNP- the only party I have ever been a member of is the Labour Party which I left during the miners strike of 1984.

I have no desire to join any party. I am a supporter of Independence and was on the Board of Yes Scotland during the referendum campaign- in your eyes that may make me a rabid nationalist but I find the term insulting and have grown very tired of the sneering ,cringing ,poorly researched tone applied by you and so many of your colleagues – especially those who have left Scotland for places they regard as so much more sophisticated and enlightened.

No doubt you have already boxed me in with thousands of others in the notion that all this Independence stuff is because we have been all been brainwashed into a “cult” up here and that the “madness” that has occurred will all disappear when we come to our senses and agree with your worldview again. I’ve never discussed politics with Janey Godley but doubt she is a supporter of the SNP – I just find her very funny and outrageous. I wanted her on the show because she actually hates Hogmanay and I thought that was an interesting view. It was important to me that we had strong women on the show and not the usual macho/ male version of this time of year. The decision to invite Nicola and her family was because she is the First woman to hold the job of First Minister and that many people across the country would be interested in what she did at that time of the year- that may have seemed overtly political to you but neither STV or the regulator would have allowed any political discussion or views to be discussed and rightly so.

I am far from a supporter of David Cameron but if he’d popped up for four minutes in a 50 minute telly show about what he did at Christmas or whenever I may have shouted at the telly a bit but it wouldn’t have ruined Christmas!

Elaine C. Smith, Glasgow, Scotland

Let’s face it. New Year’s TV has been outrageously rubbish for decades, long before the SNP came along in force. And that’s probably part of the reason we all love it and watch it. Gives us something to laugh about whilst getting drunk – or sobering up on return to work for that matter.

Probably not something that Mr Martin would either do or be capable of by the sound of it. Perhaps fun sponge may be too generous a description for him.

Are we perhaps forgetting that the seemingly all dominant and dreaded SNP were actually democratically elected by the voters of Scotland. As far as the electorate are aware they haven’t taken over the media or broadcasting institutions – nor is there any move to do so….

This situation in politics is normally referred to as something called a ‘majority’ – although since it is now the SNP all of a sudden it’s a dictatorship? Doesn’t make sense to most people up here. The situation is pretty much normal – although the party has changed from red to yellow.

Iain Thomson, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland

It is patronising vote catching regurgitated nostalgia from a “progressive party” living in the good old days of yesteryear. Incestuous SNP propaganda under the guise of entertainment.

Allan Thompson, Glasgow, Scotland

End corporate welfare

We need more discussion of the fact big corporations are paying the same rates of tax as smaller businesses. An end to corporate welfare is needed to reboot capitalism. Thatcher’s “popular capitalism” must make a comeback if we are to fend off marxism and its variants. Leaving the EU would be a first step in the right direction.

Paul Cadier, Vaucluse, France     |    @PaulHenriCadier

Crop hope

Thank you so much for writing this article: How the EU starves Africa into submission – 26th October 2015

I am a Nyabinghi Rastafari woman who is also a 2nd generation American Ayiti New Yorker. I am a raw vegan and about 90% of the food that I eat is organic. I am happy to learn so much about the situation of GMOs and bio technology in various nation states in Africa. I am really conflicted about this issue.

I wish that there was another crop that the people in Uganda and Nigeria could grow so as not to have to give into GMOs. I personally advocate hemp and cannabis agriculture for health and nutrition.

Marie Nadine Pierre , Paris, France

Referee!

Regarding Man Utd’s woes are due to failure to invest – 29th December 2015

This is a fascinating insight, and is in my view, one that illustrates the very real commercial pressures LVG is under. We all know creating organizational change is challenging and messy. But, to also have to contend with these tough financial constraints just adds a level of complexity and problems that makes the achievement of this change even harder.

The trick is to bring about meaningful change whilst maintaining an acceptable level of performance. This is almost impossible against a back drop of limited investment.
The really disappointing thing is that the senior guys at Utd. do not acknowledge this, and clearly LVG cannot go into this level of detail, consequently he is left twisting in the wind, while Woodward pontificates about marquee signings that never materialize.

I have no issue if Utd need to tighten their belts to meet other financial realities, however I would suggest that they be honest about it , so the fans (of which I am one) can have a realistic view of the future.

Peter Murphy, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Gordon Brown! The man to sort out F.I.F.A.? (Give Gordon Brown the job of cleaning up FIFA – 21st December 2015)

I am not sure who is the more delusional, you or Gordon Brown. He singlehandedly destroyed the UK private pension system, brought in so many stealth taxes and sold off the gold reserves at the bottom of the cycle. The man should not be allowed near any position that includes management or fiscal responsibility. I did check the date of your post and was very surprised it was not April 1st.

Rhod MacKenzie, Ufa, Russia