Nicola Sturgeon should have met Donald Trump rather than go to Pride

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As the first minister, she is the most senior politician in Scotland and should have been there to meet Trump (PA)

Is the SNP first minister of Scotland forgetting her role? Instead of representing the Scottish people and greeting the US president as he arrived in Scotland, she was at the Pride parade in Glasgow.

There’s nothing wrong with that under normal circumstances. However, the visit of a US president is not normal circumstances. As the first minister, she is the most senior politician in Scotland and should have been there; it is her job after all and one that she is paid handsomely for.

We all have personal and professional opinions and the two can differ at times. However, we do our jobs because we’re adults even though we may not always agree with what we are doing.

The first minister is not a campaigning politician or a member of a pressure group. The fact that she pandered to the more virtue signaling wing of her own party rather than engaging in some “realpolitik” speaks volumes about the emotional maturity of the first minister and the direction of the SNP.

It appears that the SNP is only inclusive when it suits it to be so.

David Bone
Girvan

Shifting boundaries

The division in the country on the Brexit issue cannot be resolved without a majority decision. But a simple majority decision is not workable.

A referendum based on a simple majority is divisive and bound to lead to severe polarisation.

On an issue as important as to stay in EU or not, an issue which would affect generations, one needs a minimum of two-thirds majority or better still three-quarters majority.

Most companies, foundations, charities and other organisations cannot change their constitution with a simple majority. And the leave or stay issue is just as important.

Therefore, a second referendum is needed with properly thought out questions, and a majority of at least 66 per cent.

Jehangir Sarosh
Bushey

Troll alert

Justine Greening has called for a three-way vote on Brexit with second choices permitted if there is no clear majority (Ex-cabinet minister Justine Greening becomes first senior Tory to openly call for second referendum). Well done her.

Now wait for the reports of her being trolled a) because she is a woman, b) because she is gay. And which way would the trolls vote? Hard Brexit of course, which would be the very best reason to vote Remain – in order to check the frightening lurch to the right in this country, as well as encouraging despairing liberals elsewhere, particularly in the US.

Patrick Cosgrove
Shropshire

We should applaud simple but brilliant community efforts

Regarding “The Real Junk Food Project”, by Colin Drury.

What a wonderful, simple idea which not only helps thousands of people in need but waste food is now not being sent for disposal.

A cafe selling hot food for virtually nothing is a caring way of keeping people off the streets while offering nourishment and the opportunity to buy food to cook at home again for virtually nothing.

I applaud this two pronged community activity and hope that The Real Junk Food Project and Sharehouse Stores attract more help from councils and national food chains it so richly deserves.

Well done Adam Smith for offering the opportunity for Britain to become even more caring in the future.

Keith Poole
Basingstoke

Trump would be happy for the EU to collapse

Patrick Cockburn’s article on Brexit (Saturday) reinforces our status as America’s vassal state gives much important background to Donald Trump’s visit to Europe.

Trump’s visit has left us all wondering about the volte-face between The Sun interview and his subsequent attempt to mend fences. His remarks before departing for Helsinki that the European Union was, over trade, an enemy of America and his often expressed animosity towards the EU, underlines that he does not want another trade bloc strong enough to challenge the US. He would be glad if the EU collapsed.

His change of attitude suggests that someone, possibly the prime minister, has pointed out to him that there is no more certain way to unite the EU than to threaten it.

His erratic behaviour certainly strengthens my view that the Brexiteer’s promises of wonderful opportunities for trade with the US and the rest of the world when we are freed from our obligations to the EU are about as elusive as the end of the rainbow.

Despite what much of the press say, our real friends are in Europe and we need to hug them closely.

David McKaigue
Address supplied

National pride is not a duty

With reference to the celebration of the England Football team, I was under the impression that the idea of national pride encompassed the country acting in a compassionate and supportive way to those less fortunate than themselves.

Many of us balk at the notion of wrapping ourselves in the Union Jack while millions employed on zero hours contracts or delivering pizza, the homeless and the working poor transfer resources from the poor to the rich.

And against this backdrop is the unconditional support and patriotism expected for the national football team, which is made even more problematic with the millionaire lifestyles of the players themselves, who can order a new German sports car as easy as… well, ordering pizza.

Frank Kenny
Liverpool

Russia is relevant and we can't ignore Putin

I wholeheartedly concur with the gist of your editorial that yesterday's match between Croatia and France was the culmination of a colourful sporting festival and that the football tournament has been a tremendous triumph for Russia and Putin.

I am mesmerised by the splendour and grandeur of Russian cultural heritage, its literature, opera, ballet, museums, imperial palaces, parks, etc. Russia remains a global geopolitical and geostrategic player in numerous arenas from Ukraine, Syria, North Korea to global health, communicable and non-communicable diseases and the sooner our politicians realise this the better.

Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London NW2