AFTER making allowances for the restrictions on campaigning imposed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, I am disappointed at the choices available to me as a voter in Glasgow Kelvin constituency offered in the leaflets delivered on behalf of the five parties standing candidates locally.

As a keen supporter of independence, I was disappointed to receive a leaflet from the SNP dominated by a photo of the First Minister which appears to have been taken many years ago.

This leaflet makes no mention of independence at all and does not even inform me of the local candidate’s name.

In contrast, Labour produced a very professional leaflet informing me of their candidate and policies.

Their categorical opposition to independence means that, despite being a life-long socialist, I cannot offer them my support.

I never have voted Conservative and never will.

Therefore their leaflet has gone unread. The Liberal Democrats sounded reasonable enough.

However, they oppose independence and have no chance of winning in my opinion.

This leaves the Greens. They do back independence and have a number of environmentally desirable policies I support.

Like myself, Patrick Harvie is a supporter of an independent Scottish republic.

However, his party are not campaigning to be a party of government and I am worried that if I vote for them I will merely be providing external backing for an SNP government more interested in staying in office as a devolved administration than independence.

I recognise everyone is approaching this election from different standpoints. I ponder how many, like myself, are wondering whether to bother to vote this time. So, is it Green or my first spoilt ballot paper in over 50 years of voting?

John Connelly

George Street

I was visiting George Square for a walk as suggested by the Scottish Government guidelines this afternoon.

I was shocked with horror to find two individuals sitting having a garden party with a crate of beer.

There were another 10 individuals waiting on the soup kitchen to arrive.

Surely, Susan Aitken must see this from her window in the City Chambers.

I wouldn’t want tourists taking pictures about the sorry image of Glasgow in its forthcoming role of centre stage in the forthcoming COP26 conference.

Name and address supplied