Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – The Prime Minister is quite right to resist holding an immediate in/out referendum on Britain’s relationship with the European Union.
Although there are fundamental aspects of our partnership with Europe that need addressed over time, the belief that summary withdrawal from Brussels institutions would be a panacea for all of the UK’s problems is a misguided distraction from the far more imminent and potentially catastrophic referendum which definitely will take place: the ballot on Scottish independence.
The constitutional future of Scotland is the biggest question facing the people of Britain today and we simply cannot allow our eyes to be taken off the ball while it is still in play.
The independence referendum will happen and it will happen on David Cameron’s watch. He must not go down in history as the Prime Minister who allowed the break-up of the UK to happen under his nose, by allowing the attentions of this country to be diverted by a fruitless internal battle over Europe.
There are those who say that if the Conservative Party fails to offer a referendum on EU membership, it will be outflanked by UKIP, which demands such a poll, and even by Ed Miliband, who is also toying with the idea.
The Prime Minister must resist such siren voices and stick to the best possible retaliation; that he is focused on the future integrity of the United Kingdom.
We must stop this eternal squabbling over Europe until we have stood shoulder to shoulder with our unionist colleagues from every corner of the UK to prevent the severing of our ancient and successful partnership.
Let us keep Britain united and then turn our attention to its place in Europe.
Struan Stevenson.MEP for Scotland.
It’s too late to stop oceans from warming
Sir, – According to a scientific study published last Sunday by scientists at the New Jersey-based Climate Central, the US National Centre for Atmospheric Research and the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research in Melbourne, even if nations agree to the most drastic cuts in CO2 emissions the world’s oceans will continue to climb far into the future.
The report had several varied circumstances under which temperatures around the world could be balanced. Each scenario received a matching vacillation in reaction of ocean levels.
But due to the fact that deep ocean waters amass and distribute the warmer water that plays a part in glacial melting the impact of any future stabilisation of surface temperatures would be too late to stop ocean warming which has already happened.
The scientists conclude that the best case would be that aggressive mitigation of current CO2 levels would buy time for the population to adapt.
This report is a warning especially to those living in low costal areas.
Of course this report will be rubbished by the usual anti-science big oil-funded global warning denier propagandists.
They use the same smoke and mirrors techniques that the tobacco companies used to deny the link between smoking and lung cancer
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace,Dundee.
Basically, we’re just not popular
Sir, – After reading the article about Andrew Lloyd Webber considering it is racism which prevents us from doing well in the Eurovision Song Contest, I would suggest it is the fact the UK is constantly involved in conflicts and gets a name for poking its nose into things which would perhaps be better left to others.
We are a very small country and other Eastern European countries perhaps don’t get involved in wars etc. the way we do. This attitude could have the potential to make us very unpopular, hence our poor record in the song contest.
It wouldn’t matter who we put in to represent us, it is the country in general which is not popular.
Fiona McMillan.6 Ethiebeaton Terrace,Monifieth.
Perth need for Credit Union
Sir, – I find it extraordinary that in 2012 Perth does not have a credit union. In this day and age people who are struggling financially are very vulnerable to loan sharks and payday loan lenders who offer loans to unemployed people who, most of the time, the banks are refusing to help, at very high rates of interest.
What is even more disturbing is that Perth and Kinross is the only local authority in Scotland that does not have a credit union. It is about time that this was sorted out.
I remember in 2005 talk of setting one up and seven years later people are still waiting and this is now a city. It is very disappointing.
Gordon Kennedy.117 Simpson Square,Perth.
Writers should stick to facts
Sir, -I must comment on letters from Ms Taylor regarding Shell drilling in the Arctic and Mr Macmillan regarding wind turbines (both July 3).
Hydrocarbon exploration and production has been ongoing in Alaska’s Arctic for more than 40 years with an exemplary environmental and safety record.
Does Ms Taylor know a multi-million pound operation can be shut down to allow caribou access to the ocean to obtain ”mosquito relief”? Does she know operations are immediately shut down if a bowhead whale is sighted? Can she quote any offshore spillage?
The native Inupiat peoples are allowed to live their traditional lives while enjoying 21st century luxuries thanks to the oil business. I lived and worked there for two years.
Now to turbines. All the winds that affect our weather are nowhere near the surface or even the height of turbines. Trying to tie turbines to weather change is pushing the envelope a bit too far.
Eric Swinney.Lafayette,USA.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.