Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, SNP MEP Alyn Smith’s petulant diatribe about David Cameron’s veto of the recent EU treaty, and his defence of the UK’s financial industry, deserves a response. He wrote that David Cameron fought for the City of London, and the City of London alone.
As an MEP, Alyn Smith knows, or should know, that what David Cameron fought for was for the whole financial services industry in Britain. An industry which contributes 10% of our Gross Domestic Product and 17.5% of our taxation revenue.
An industry which, Mr Smith appears to have neglected, provides thousands of jobs in insurance, stocks and shares, investment trusts, in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and other areas in addition to London.
Cameron was fighting against the imposition of a transaction tax, a transaction tax which would not even generate money for Brussels, but would lead to the emigration of thousands of jobs from Britain to other havens which would not impose a tax.
Every country has at least one aspect of its economy that is crucial to its economy. For Germany it is their car industry, for France it is agriculture. Any attempts to introduce regulation which would adversely affect these would be vehemently opposed.
Let us remind ourselves that it was, until recently, Alyn Smith egged on by his SNP boss Alex Salmond who was extolling the virtues of the single currency and EU membership, heaven forbid.
David Cameron was pitching for us. Well done!
George Cormack.Aberdour.
Just the right word
Sir, Congratulations to Sir Brian Soutar for his response to the Edinburgh planners’ decision on the Hovercraft terminal.
”Scunnered” said it all. The Scots always seem to have just the right word for it.
David Ross.1 Glenfield Gardens,Cowdenbeath.
Prosperity assured…
Sir, Your correspondent Joseph A. Peterson (Letters, December 12) wants Scotland to have vision and be bold, by cutting defence expenditure, and opening up Leuchars for commercial purposes, such as keeping St Andrews in the lead as the home of golf.
What a fabulous earner that will be for the independent Scotland he welcomes.
Why not build a couple of bagpipe factories as well? With those two enterprises stitched up, future prosperity would be assured.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.
Where are we headed?
Sir, A recent editorial comment in The Courier referred to a ”can of worms” being opened by the Scottish Government with their consultation on the subject of same-sex marriage. Gordon Wilson, a former leader of the SNP, has declared this to be an act of folly which may affect the future referendum.
A look at what is happening in Switzerland and Germany may let us see where our society is heading regarding what we consider, at present, is normal family life.
In Britain today children are protected by laws of consanguinity (blood relations cannot marry) and incest.
Switzerland is looking seriously at the incest laws, which are considered obsolete. In Germany, male and female siblings, separated at birth and brought up separately, have met up, lived together and produced four children two of whom have unspecified disabilities. They wish to marry and are challenging the courts.
Switzerland and Germany have same-sex unions but not same-sex marriage the same as we are in Scotland.
Same-sex marriages would allow anyone who wished to challenge these two laws re family life because same-sex marriages do not have children at the heart of the family, yet they could challenge as a married couple.
The main purpose of our laws of consanguinity and incest are to protect any children from considerable disablity. If the challenge were to be successful we could see an uncle marrying a nephew and little protection for children in heterosexual marriages.
A can of worms indeed!
Even more reason for saying ‘no’ to same-sex marriages unless, of course, you are entirely comfortable with where it might lead our society.
Philip J. Kearns.47 Grove Road,Dundee.
Alex should heed warning
Sir, While I do not support Gordon Wilson’s independence aspirations for Scotland, I fully support along with the majority of people his opposition to same-sex marriages.
Alex Salmond and his administration at Holyrood should be aware, or warned, that the ”left leaning” socialist government in Australia is very unpopular and likely to be removed at their next election.
The three areas causing this disapproval are a lenient immigration policy, an obsession with climate change and approval of same-sex marriages.
R. H. L. Mulheron.28 Cowgate,Tayport.
A credit to their parents
Sir, I felt privileged to attend the pantomime, Aladdin, in Montrose Town Hall on Saturday, which was performed by a cast of teenagers and primary school children.
The entire cast was so enthusiastic and dedicated, it would put many so-called professional entertainers to shame.
These brilliant performers were a credit to their parents.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
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.