Sir, The NHS in Scotland will be at risk if voters vote “no” in the referendum. Quite simply many of our English neighbours are going to surgeries in supermarkets to be seen by a doctor. The health service in England in many areas is dire compared to what we enjoy here.
Hospitals contain cafes (McDonalds/KFC etc) making money,while at the same time providing patients in later life for the very hospitals they purport to help.
Unfortunately, mostly the Americans and their workings on the stock markets are sneaking in the back door to profit from our ailments. The path to paying for treatment will soon be realised down south.
I hope voters recognise that this is the American way of privatising a National Health Service and is found to be politically acceptable down south. I sincerely hope that it will not happen here after the referendum.
The question is: “Can you trust those in charge in London (and the 700 unelected Lords)?” Westminster can override the wishes of the Scottish public at the moment, by dissolving the Scottish Parliament. Only independence can ensure this does not happen!
Scotland’s share of the obsolete Trident Nuclear system is said to be one billion pounds. Imagine what could be achieved with that money in an independent Scotland?
Bob Harper. 63a Pittenweem Road, Anstruther.
Alistair Darling a clear winner
Sir, Having watched the independence debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling on Tuesday night I was disappointed but not surprised that basic questions went unanswered regarding currency and the EU.
Mr Salmond’s handling of the questions was pathetic and all he seemed to do was quote articles continuously and refuse to answer the question on a plan B for currency. It was like listening to a record with the needle stuck with him constantly saying it was the Scottish pound as well.
His attitude was arrogant and autocratic. He even discussed pandas and driving on the right in a desperate attempt to confuse MrDarling.
Westminster has clearly said “no” to a currency union but “no” is a word that Mr Salmond does not seem to understand.
Well done to the older member of the audience who summed up Mr Salmond perfectly by saying that if that is what we have to look forward to with a “yes” vote then it is a serious worry. I couldn’t agree more! Mr Darling was a clear winner.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Put an end to “this lunacy”
Sir, In the big referendum debate, Alex Salmond complained that the Scottish people did not vote for the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition.
Alistair Darling reminded him that in 2011 he did not vote for the SNP but has been lumbered with them ever since.
This is democracy. In fact only 44% of the popular vote was for the SNP.
Since then the rest of us have had to put up with the SNP policies of an independent referendum, gay marriage, building a Chinese bridge across the Forth, Police Scotland with its closures of police stations and arming of officers etc.
We the majority need to put an end to this lunacy.
Let’s start with a big “no” vote in September.
Gordon Langlands. Burntisland.
Forget all the moaners
Sir, There is not much left to say about the wonderful success of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with regards to the fantastic sportsmanship, skill and camaraderie of the competitors and their support teams.
Everyone was a winner.
Forget the “moaning Minnies”, this was a Games to remember for all the right reasons and the wonderful contributions by the organisers, “Clyde-siders”, and people of Glasgow helped to make it so.
There was someone else who epitomised what the “friendly Games” were all about, HRH Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Despite the terrible tragedies that have befallen his country, at the opening ceremony, he welcomed everyone with an open heart and big smile.
Even the hiccup with the baton didn’t upset him.
At the closing ceremony the sheer joy on his face and in his voice, when he welcomed and thanked everyone was just “pure dead brilliant”.
Never have I ever seen any “high heid yin” officiate so well. Others please take note!
Christine Mutch. Eyemouth, Berwickshire.
Absence was appalling
Sir, On a week with numerous events marking the beginning of the First World War and the closing of the highly successful Commonwealth Games, I find it appalling that our so-called head of state did not attend any of them.
These events were highly important but were diminished by being attended by playboy princes and princesses.
She is, after all, the only head of the Commonwealth, but did not act like it.
Shameful!
Alister Rankin. 93 Whyterose Terrace, Methil, Leven.