Today’s letters contain readers’ opinions of Scotland’s politicians and councillors, green policies, and the Perth river crossing.
Time to reduce Scotland’s level of governanceSir, Saturday mornings are again much better now that Steve Bargeton’s slightly irreverent political column is back after the summer break.
MSPs have had a longer summer break and will be off again soon. This can only mean that they do not have enough business in the Parliament. Scotland is one of the most expensively over-governed countries in the world. Why does it take two MSPs and one MP in Scotland to deal with the same workload as one MP south of the border?
MPs elected to Westminster from Scotland have a very low workload. At this time when public spending cuts are rife, there needs to be a long, hard look at the massive bureaucratic set up in Edinburgh.
I am not suggesting that the Scottish Parliament be abolished, it does, in fact, serve a very useful purpose for Scotland but I would suggest that MSPs be abolished along with the vast bureaucracy they drag along with them.
Let our one elected MP (we might need just a few more in total) deal with Scottish business in Edinburgh for one or two days each week before going to Westminster to deal with UK business.
The result would be vast cost savings and an answer to the West Lothian question.
Andrew Gilmour.Londive,Montrave Home Farm,Leven.Scandal of grant to bankSir, How can any Scottish politician be taken seriously after the latest cash hand-out from Scottish Enterprise?
Scotland is suffering from the worst recession since the Second World War.
We are told daily that we are going to suffer job cuts and wage restraints in every sector unless, of course, you are already a multi-millionaire in charge of an already prosperous bank.
The grant of £6.6 million so Barclays bank can open branch in Glasgow beggars belief.
How many apprentices could £6.6 million fund? How many student nurses could that sum train?
Barclays’ new boss stands to earn almost £11 million from his entitlements that go with the position, Monopoly money to most of us.
It is high time that our leaders in Holyrood began to think about the man and woman in the street.
Scottish finance secretary John Swinney wants suggestions from the public on how we can make reductions sensibly. Here is one get rid of the comedy show that has become Scottish Enterprise.
Bill Duthie.25 St Fillans Road,Dundee.Rethink our green policiesSir, Iain Mitchell’s very important letter (September 11) should be read and pondered over by those politicians at present in charge of our governments, since much of our country’s future is held in trust by them a momentous responsibility.
Why do they not admit that they have adopted wholly wrong policies on future power generation and protection of our land and seascapes?
Can cowardice about possible loss of face, ignorance, cussedness or even hatred of Scotland be their motivation?
They owe us an updated policy statement and radical changes or they will come to be justly hated for generations for ruining our nation’s fabric and economy, to no useful purpose beyond a quixotic desire to be fashionably green.
(Dr) Charles Wardrop.111 Viewlands Road West,Perth.Taxpayers’ views being ignoredSir, The residents of Perth have not had their say over the proposed Connect2 bridge over the River Tay.
The public have been given a choice of only two proposed designs but no opportunity has been provided for people to oppose its construction.
It is obvious from the comments of council leader Ian Miller that it has already been decided that it will be built at vast expense to the people of Perth whether required or not. The council should hold a public meeting where they can explain who is to benefit from this new bridge and also where the
£1.4 million of council money will come from when every other section of public spending is going to be cut in the coming years.
The site for the bridge has now been moved half-a-mile downstream from the original proposal.
The original concept was to provide a crossing from Upper Springlands to connect with the marked cycle path from Perth to Almondbank.
This is no longer the site and there is no riverbank walkway between Upper Springlands and the proposed downstream site.
The new site will ruin the fifteenth green, sixteenth hole and seventeenth tee of the North Inch Golf course -not that this will matter to the council as they fail to show the slightestinterest in their valuable, historical golf course.
No doubt the council has carried out a survey of potential users for their proposed Connect2 bridge and can provide the public with facts and figures to support the costs involved, or is this simply a bridge for 20 cyclists to use at a cost to the public of £132,500 each.
Mr Miller’s comments make it obvious that they have decided this bridge will be built as a shining example of spending other people’s money and totally ignoring the views of the local taxpayers.
Robin Valentine.3 Burnbank,Bridge of Earn.Dictatorial days are overSir, Councillor Alex Rowley (September 10) is quite right; there is indeed a new concept of consultation at Fife Council.
In Councillor Rowley’s days as leader, his administration’s stated definition of consultation was that it was when the council told people what they were going to do.
Jane Ann Liston.5 Whitehill Terrace,Largo Road,St Andrews.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.