\n America must be in the vanguard to drive on post-Brexit trade deals<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n Sturgeon\u2019s obsession with a new referendum is damaging economy<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n More bottle required to aid key industry\n<\/p>\n \n In\u00a0reference to John Swinney<\/a>‘s forthcoming meeting with President Trump on whisky tariffs (\u201cThe real reason behind FM\u2019s surprise mission to the US\u201d, The Herald, September 10), I am compelled to express serious concerns about our government’s approach to this pivotal issue.\n<\/p>\n \n The whisky sector is not only a crucial driver of Scotland\u2019s economy, but also a significant part of our cultural identity.\n<\/p>\n \n The imposition of high tariffs by the United States has already harmed our exports, diminishing the global standing of this beloved product.\n<\/p>\n \n Scotland’s leaders must move beyond mere discussions.\n<\/p>\n \n They need a clear, strategic plan to restore competitiveness and support our distilleries.\n<\/p>\n \n The whisky industry should not be treated as a mere bargaining chip in international relations; it deserves our full attention and robust action from Holyrood<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n As Margaret Thatcher said: “The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”\n<\/p>\n \n The same could be said about indecisiveness. We cannot afford to waste time on inaction.\n<\/p>\n \n In addition to negotiations with international leaders, our government must invest in domestic policies that empower local businesses to thrive.\n<\/p>\n \n This includes tax incentives for distilleries, promotional support for exports beyond the US, and a focus on skills-training for the workforce.\n<\/p>\n \n By nurturing the whisky industry at home, we can ensure its strength and sustainability in our economy.\n<\/p>\n \n It\u2019s high time our leaders demonstrate genuine commitment through practical actions, not just conversations.\n<\/p>\n \n Only then can we expect to safeguard one of Scotland’s most iconic assets and the livelihoods dependent upon it.\n<\/p>\n \n We should hold our politicians accountable for driving effective change and tangible results, rather than getting lost in bureaucratic discussions.\n<\/p>\n \n Alastair Majury, Dunblane, Perthshire.\n<\/p>\n \n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Independence\u2026 the bald truth\n<\/p>\n \n The\u00a0upcoming SNP<\/a> Conference promises to be a riveting occasion for followers of Scottish politics<\/a> (\u201cFM faces new challenge to indy plans at party debate\u201d, The Herald, September 4).\n<\/p>\n \n Hopefully, from a personal perspective, Mr Swinney will have good news following his pleading for a US tariff reduction on whisky from President Trump.\n<\/p>\n \n However, the debate on the mechanism to achieve independence will prove more entertaining.\n<\/p>\n \n The Oban and Lorn, Tweeddale and Helensburgh<\/a> SNP rebels plan for secession at least pays lip service to \u201ccurrency, taxation and defence\u201d in their submission.\n<\/p>\n \n The spectacle of the official SNP, and the rebels, discussing their alternative strategies for leaving the U.K. conjures up the image of two bald men fighting over a comb.\n<\/p>\n \n James Quinn, Lanark.\n<\/p>\n \n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Recycle and repeat\n<\/p>\n \n A recent\u00a0Herald letter repeats the same old slogans, doing nothing to strengthen the independence case.\n<\/p>\n \n The facts remain: a separate Scotland means currency chaos, a hard border with our biggest market, and exclusion from both the UK internal market and the EU, which together cover 80% of our trade.\n<\/p>\n \n \u00a0A new Scottish currency would almost certainly face a 20\u201330% drop in value, hitting wages, pensions and savings.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n No wonder informed people and businesses have no appetite to overturn 2014\u2019s clear and decisive vote.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Furthermore, clutching\u00a0at straws over a little-known UN talking shop in Geneva only underlines the weakness of the argument.\n<\/p>\n \n Such meetings debate abstract \u2018right\u2019 with no authority, no binding effect, and certainly no power to confer statehood.\n<\/p>\n \n To pretend otherwise is fanciful and erodes credibility even further.\n<\/p>\n \n Finally, the tired claim of \u2018plundered resources\u2019 collapses under the simplest of facts: Scotland already enjoys \u00a312,000 more per family of four in public spending (compared to south of the border), courtesy of the Barnett formula.\n<\/p>\n \n Until these realities are faced, the endless recycling of grievances will only continue to damage the cause it is meant to advance.\n<\/p>\n \n Ian Lakin, Milltimber, Aberdeen.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Parliament needs progress\n<\/p>\n \n The\u00a0SNP is truly an anachronistic organisation.\n<\/p>\n \n It belongs to the 18th century, with the clans and their short-term hero, Charles Edward Stuart.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Even the SNP\u2019s meetings, rallies, gatherings, etc, portray a past age.\n<\/p>\n \n If a regional Parliament is indeed necessary, it should be modern in its approach.\n<\/p>\n \n The competing political parties of the Tories, Labour and Liberal Democrats should have the sort of policies which will equip Scotland to trade alongside the rest of the UK in a modern world.\n<\/p>\n \n In recent times we Scots have borne witness to the narrow-mindedness of the SNP, and leaders such as Mr Salmond, Ms Sturgeon and yet again Mr Swinney.\n<\/p>\n \n Following the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026, it\u2019s hoped that a new administration will be formed with fresh ideas for Scotland.\n<\/p>\n \n The current SNP government is in a state of stagnation.\n<\/p>\n \n Robert I G Scott, Fife.\n<\/p>\n \n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n UK\u2019s Middle East complicity\n<\/p>\n \n The\u00a0British Government’s support, both politically and militarily, for the genocidal Israeli regime defies logic or reason (\u201cPalestinian death toll in Gaza<\/a> passes 64,000 say local health officials\u201d, The Herald, September 5).\n<\/p>\n \n In other circumstances our government would be marshalling international partners to put an end to the mass murder taking place in Palestine<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n This government (and indeed other political parties) have descended into the depths of depravity by their senseless advocacy for this morally debased rogue Israeli state.\n<\/p>\n \n Questions need to be answered by the Knesset’s devolved administration at Westminster.\n<\/p>\n \n Don Ferguson, Kirkintilloch.\n<\/p>\n \n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n \n \u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Starmer soft on Gaza\n<\/p>\n \n Israeli\u00a0Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves a courtroom where he\u2019s on trial for corruption to give the go-ahead for a strike on Qatar (\u201cHamas says its leaders \u2018survived Israeli strike on Qatar\u2019\u201d, The Herald, September 10).\n<\/p>\n \n His forces target Hamas officials involved in talks for a ceasefire in the war on Gaza, where 64,000 Palestinians have been killed.\n<\/p>\n \n Qatar is a sovereign state and was helping in the mediation process. It\u2019s obvious Mr Netanyahu doesn\u2019t want an end to the genocide. He wants Gaza ethnically cleansed.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n But he has friends in high places. U.S. President Donald Trump<\/a> may well have given him the green light, though that will probably never be admitted.\n<\/p>\n \n And our Prime Minister shows no sign of changing his position.\n<\/p>\nBenjamin Netanyahu has been criticised for his Gaza war decisions\u00a0(Image: Ohad Zwigenberg\/AP)\n<\/p>\n