In view of the fact so called Labour MSPs have turned down the opportunity to lead their party, I recall an old phrase, used some years ago at Westminster:

"A shiver ran around the benches looking for a spine to crawl up."

We are never short of politicians eager to toss in their tuppence worth but, when it comes to the real glare of the media and the pressure that goes with it, the cosy option is to lead the fight from the rear.

AJ Morgan Via e-mail

Defunct party

The self preservation society, AKA Scottish Labour, are now as toxic as the Tories.

Is it any wonder nobody is hurrying to take up the post as leader of this now defunct party?

The Labour party's socialist ideals died many years ago. They are now a lame duck, both here and the rest of Britain.

Name and address supplied

Clean gutters

I see roadside flooding every year around this time, as the council has stopped clearing up fallen leaves, which clog up the drains, causing a water build up on many roads.

Four years ago I wrote off my car as a result of going through a build up of water caused by choked drains on the A737 near Beith.

Johnny Mack Posted online

Bookies' loos

Regards the planning bid to limit the proliferation of bookies and payday lenders. I don't have a problem with the number of bookies in Glasgow. They are handy if caught short for the toilet.

I can remember when the council used to provide public toilets, but there are very few of these left open.

Why don't our MSPs at Holyrood address this?

Ronnie Simpson Posted online

Right advice

Delighted the Evening Times has this week highlighted the work of the Citizens Advice Bureau. It is a service which thousands of people rely on and, with the current credit crisis, I can only see it becoming busier.

C Gentles Govan