Your letters to the Helensburgh Advertiser: June 15, 2017

If you'd like to add your thoughts to the mix on any local issue, just email editorial@helensburghadvertiser.co.uk with 'Letter' in the subject line and we'll publish the best in our next print edition, on sale on June 22. Happy writing!

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First of all, I would like to offer my congratulations to Brendan O’Hara upon being re-elected as our MP.

Whilst I do not agree with many of his party’s policies, I am sure that Mr O’Hara will continue his good work representing our region’s interests.

After careful consideration, I voted Conservative in this election, albeit with a lot less conviction than I have felt previously.

There was no doubt in my mind that Gary Mulvaney would be an effective MP; rather, my issue was with the Conservative Party’s national campaign.

To a degree, I am dismayed at the result of the general election, but I am by no means surprised.

At first, it seemed virtually certain that the election would strengthen support for Mrs May in advance of Brexit negotiations.

However, the dogged focus on Brexit and Mrs May’s “me, me, me” campaign flew in the face of other parties’ campaigning on the NHS, education and other divisive, but highly pertinent, issues.

The Prime Minister’s ineffectual response to other parties’ tactics, including her refusal to attend televised debates (tiresome as they are), cost her.

Her campaign rallies came across as staged and jilted; by contrast, the Marmite Jeremy Corbyn was seen to be out and about, listening to people’s concerns.

That #naughtytheresa and #fieldsofwheat trended on Twitter in the last few days of the campaign really says it all: Mrs May, regrettably, came across as out of touch to a large portion of the electorate.

Her one-woman campaign sat at odds with what voters want to hear, and we grew bored of the alliterative soundbites of #strongandstable and #coalitionofchaos (and the opposition’s response of #weakandwobbly).

I am not convinced that Mrs May is the right person to lead us through Brexit negotiations, and I am concerned about the knock-on effect that will have for Scottish residents and the popularity of a second independence referendum, which I personally do not favour.

I am pleased, though, that the campaigns inspired a relatively high turnout, especially amongst younger voters. That plenty of people exercised their right to vote makes the result of any election easier to stomach.

Julia Barr, via email

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Following on from a very successful Highland Games, I would like to personally thank the people of Helensburgh for their support for what, was the 10th anniversary of the present Games.

The start to the day was dreich but by mid-morning the weather improved to give a warm sunny day with just an occasional shower which did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds for the entertainment provided by the Games competitors, Highland dancers and entertainers.

Besides the local support our survey recorded there were visitors from 15 different countries this year and shows that advertising with the media, website and radio, although costly, is a huge advantage.

Facebook is another way of course in reaching people. The guest book gave us some great comments which are greatly appreciated and the survey which was taken, gives us an idea where we may need to improve things.

The Games committee will shortly be hold a ‘washup’ of the work up to, and on, the actual Games day to see how things can be improved and work on those for 2018.

I would again take this opportunity to thank our many donors and sponsors who were mentioned in last week’s Advertiser, but also Waitrose who I unfortunately missed in the list.

Big thanks also to the Cricket and Rugby Club and the people of Helensburgh for their continued support.

Sephton MacQuire (Chairman, Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games)

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I would like to thank the near 16,000 people who voted for me last week – we came from third in 2015 to within 1,300 votes of the winning this seat.

My congratulations to Brendan O’Hara on his victory and best wishes for what will be an ‘interesting’ parliament.

Commiserations to Alan Reid and Michael Kelly.

My campaign team, led by John McMurtrie, were unbelievable and I don’t think I have laughed so much as we travelled across the area meeting some fantastic folk along the way.

For me, it’s now back to the day job and the family I love.

Gary Mulvaney (Conservative candidate, Argyll and Bute)

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There has been much attention paid to the fall in the number of SNP MPs from 56 to 35, seen as a disaster for the party.

However, let us put this into some perspective in the cool light of day.

The SNP still won more seats in Scotland than all other parties combined, obtained the largest number of votes and delivered the second best result ever for the party.

Before the electoral tsunami of 2015 the largest number of SNP MPs was 11 and going into the election two years ago the party had just six.

Yes, a number of ‘big beasts’, primarily Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson, lost their seats, and will be a massive loss.

However, it was always going to be difficult to get anywhere close to the 2015 General Election result, which was a once in a generation outcome.

The SNP, it should be noted, still form the third largest party at Westminster.

The Tories, who stood on a sole platform of opposition to a second independence referendum, lost the election in Scotland, and lost their majority in the UK.

Indeed, the SNP have more than double the number of Scottish seats than the Tories, who have been heavily defeated.

Instead of strength and stability, the Tories now seem headed for an extended period of in-fighting, with Brexit negotiations set to begin in just 10 days.

Both the Scottish and UK results show a massive rejection of Tory austerity and an extreme Brexit. This result – combined with the hung Parliament – makes Scotland’s influence pivotal at Westminster.

Alex Orr (via email)

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In 2015 the good people of these isles were told by the Tories to fear rule by Alex Salmond via his controlling Ed Milliband if they voted for anyone bar them.

In 2016 those same Tories admonished us to vote against Brussels controlling us via the EU.

In 2017 most of us are “googling” the DUP to discover a far worse circumstance.

Bryan Ritchie (via email)

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We now see the wheels coming off the SNP. The public is starting to figure out who they are, which is very anti-libertarian.

Of course they will not admit this. The answer for a 13 per cent drop in support is, “well we won the election, the reduced majority gives me another cast-iron minority mandate for Indyref2.”

I believe this was the result of many SNP supporters either switching their vote or not voting at all.

Previously stated before being pro Europe while separating from the Union was political suicide.

The focus should have been the transfer of power from Brussels to Holyrood, along with the fact the intellectual work seems to have disappeared which was there in 2014.

There was no solution to the banking problem or the £15 billion debt.

I spoke to many SNP supporters, some very interested in what damage the Named Person scheme will do to the party, others with childish insults with no knowledge on the subject.

Somehow thousands of people attended events against such a policy, which skipped the BBC, which receives funding through Europe via Media Action.

This was the beginning of the end for the party when people started questioning their logic.

A leadership challenge on Nicola Sturgeon losing 40 per cent of her seats is one to watch.

Andrew McGlinchey (via email)

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The result of this General Election clearly shows that the British people do not want a hard, destructive Brexit.

There will be no mandate for it in the House of Commons.

So much of that is down to you – our amazing volunteers.

I want to thank you for the incredible support you gave to pro-European candidates during this General Election campaign.

Thousands of Open Britain activists put party politics aside to campaign for candidates who are as committed as we are to stopping a hard and destructive Brexit.

We should all be very proud of the fact that there are so many of us out there who want to continue to fight for the a continuing close relationship with Europe.

Your efforts have made a massive impact on this general election.

Of the 29 seats in which we were campaigning for a pro-European incumbent, we won an incredible 26.

And we managed to elect pro-Europeans in many vital seats, from Gower to Enfield and from Eastbourne to Bristol.

Without you, there might well have been a majority in Parliament for a destructive, hard Brexit.

The political landscape has clearly changed, and much at this point remains uncertain. But Open Britain will continue to campaign against an extreme Brexit which puts our nation’s economy and security at risk.

I know that with the fantastic commitment our supporters have already shown, we can continue to fight for a Britain that is inclusive, prosperous and open.

I will be in touch again next week to update you on our plans going forward. We are ready to continue the fight and I hope you will join us in that battle.

Thank you again for everything you did during this campaign, and congratulations for making such a difference.

If we continue to work together, we can change the future of our country for the better.

Roland Rudd (Chairman, Open Britain)

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November this year marks the twentieth anniversary of when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Having been at four Olympics, I thought my chances of competing in another one were non-existent but I quickly learned from medical professionals that the condition can be managed.

Having said that, reaching my fifth podium wasn’t straightforward.

Diabetes remains a huge health crisis and it’s on the rise. About 4.5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, and 11.9 million in the UK are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

That’s why I’m really keen to make more people aware of the work Diabetes UK does. Their ultimate vision, one I share, is for a world where diabetes can do no harm.

They would love to have support for Diabetes Week which is taking place from Sunday, June 11 to Saturday, June 17.

The theme this year is one which is close to my heart, ‘Know diabetes. Fight diabetes’.

The aim is to raise awareness of the great work the charity does to help people know their diabetes, and together we take on the fight which the challenges of diabetes present so that we can live to our full potential.

During Diabetes Week, Diabetes UK would like to encourage people with the condition to get in touch and share their knowledge and experience, to help and inspire others.

What have you learned about diabetes which has made a difference for you?

Help Diabetes UK fight for better care, more research and less stigma. Do please get in touch, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetesweek to find out how you can get involved.

Sir Steve Redgrave (Diabetes UK supporter)