Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, I write to congratulate David Clegg on his interesting view on the European financial crisis (Saturday, December 10). His advice that Europe is completely broke/skint is timely. David Cameron did the right thing, not just for the country, but common sense.
Opponents declare that we British ‘should be in there, playing our part’. Doing what, I ask? Some commentators believe that Sarkozy actually wanted this to happen. It strengthens his desire to have agreement only no treaty ie no signatures which matter, on paper.
The other non-Euro countries who have consented to assist (none of them particularly wealthy) may soon be asked to make contributions to the IMF (current and previous heads both French hopefully an irrelevance), to help with ‘bailout’ payments.
Sarkozy’s quite blatant snub to Cameron, seen by millions on TV, demonstrated a petty disregard for normal diplomatic courtesies. So much for the ‘democratic’ EU club.
Anyway, we are still full members of the EU, contrary to what many would have us believe, not involved with saving the Euro, and able to apply ourselves to other activities foreign affairs, fishing, agriculture, industrial output etc.
Will Michelin and Peugeot close down UK operations? I don’t think so.
A. T. Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
Sensible way to price wine
Sir, The two people who wrote about the price of wine may have opinions on the subject which owe more to attacking the SNP Government than the price of wine. Obviously they don’t actually buy wine.
Anyone who does will have noticed that wine has actually got cheaper since the SNP Government got rid of inducements to buy more than you really want by offering a discount on six bottles.
Now, any discount is applied to each bottle purchased so wine in Scotland is cheaper per bottle than elsewhere in the UK where you still have to buy a certain amount to get a discount.
One famous wine warehouse actually has a ”Scottish price” which is cheaper than their price for south of the border.
This is what the Scottish Government intended. Three cheers for them for making wine cheaper for the people who only buy an occasional bottle and don’t want to buy six bottles to get a discount.
To my mind this is a much more sensible way to price wine.
Jim Duthie.Gray Street,Broughty Ferry,Dundee.
She has the right, but…
Sir, I refer to Sandy Alston’s letter about the case brought by Penny Uprichard against Scottish ministers and Fife Council.
Mr Alston writes that if it were not for people like Ms Uprichard ”unelected people would run rampant over common sense”.
Perhaps Mr Alston could remind us who elected Ms Uprichard?
If she wishes to take legal action against the government and Fife Council she is perfectly entitled to do so. However she has no right to expect general taxpayers, including me, or Fife council tax payers, including my 89-year-old mother, to bear the significant cost of her futile litigation.
(Dr) David B. Griffiths.41 Haston Crescent,Perth.
Picked the wrong heroes
Sir, Your correspondent Raymond Mennie (Letters December 9) has chosen the wrong British Heroes in Wellington and Churchill. Irish-born General Wellington may have been an isolationist in principle but he was not anti-European. Wellington greatly admired Napoleon, famously saying: ”In this age, in past ages, in any age, Napoleon!”
As for the complex character that was Winston Churchill, who was half-American, well here we have a man who wrote in 1938: ”I have always said that if Great Britain was defeated in war I hope we should find a Hitler to lead us back to our rightful position amongst nations.”
After the second world war, and a lesson learnt, Churchill helped initiate the pro-European movement, of which he said in 1948: ”How happy and prosperous would the 480 million people of Europe be if at once they were united.”
I am afraid if Mr Rennie is looking for British heroes on Europe then he is stuck with David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
Malcolm McCandless.40 Muirfield Crescent,Dundee.
Short, sharp shock worked
Sir, Recent mentions of driving fines and bans being changed to jail sentences reminded me of Perth around 50 years or so ago.
We had a Sheriff Prain who imposed a 30-day jail sentence on drink-drivers, which had quite a sobering (literally) effect on those who were caught. I don’t think many needed a second bout!
Tom Fisken.18 Wilson Street,Perth.
Excellent ambassadors
Sir, Those fortunate enough to attend the Montrose Inner Wheel event held at Taylor’s Auction Rooms on Friday afternoon were regally entertained by the pupils of Montrose Academy.
The singing was first class and they were excellent ambassadors for both Montrose Academy and the youth of today.
I hope we can have less negative press and pessimism surrounding the youth of today.
Ian Taylor.Managing director.Taylor’s Auction Rooms, Montrose.
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.