Sir, After Mr MacAskill’s disgraceful behaviour in the wake of the vote on the controversial legislation on corroboration and his attack on those who opposed it, I think it is high time that politics are taken out of the referendum debate.
Mr Salmond scathingly talked of the bullying tactics of the three main political parties on the currency question is that not exactly what he has been doing all along, trying to bully Scots into voting “yes”?
What most Scots want is unbiased information about all the relative facets of how independence will affect them, what true costs are involved and what the future will be for us after either a “yes” or “no” vote.
I look forward to Sir Tom Hunter’s report on the commission he has personally funded to give us true, accurate and unbiased answers so that we can make up our own minds from facts and not from Mr Salmond’s obsessive outbursts and his total disregard for any comments by personal or business sources that do not agree with his proposals
John M Page. 8 Panter Crescent, Montrose.
Anything but a debate
Sir, I sat down to watch on TV the debate on independence between the deputy first minister and the leader of the Labour Party and can only describe what I saw as a debacle more suited for a “steamie” not a debate.
I assumed the deputy leader knew the meaning of debate and political argument.
Not so as Nicola Sturgeon would not stop bullying, insulting and shouting “scaremonger” over the chairperson who I felt lost control, and her fellow debater, until I doubt if anyone heard what was being said most of the time.
As a stoic Scot I stayed tuned to hear nothing new, the same old denial of all criticism, and nationalist refusal to answer any questions while accusing others of not giving answers.
The whole programme would have been a joke had it not been for the fact it was important to any Scot watching as either of the two women may one day be first minister.
However, one of the saddest political comments I have heard came from the deputy first minister and ex-minister of health, when she argued that because Scots will continue to die sooner than the rest of the UK, there was no reason to raise the pension age.
The inference I get from this statement is that if independence is not a success and turns out to be bad news for Scotland, the good news is that we pensioners won’t have to suffer for so long.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
Restoration of war memorial
Sir, I was delighted to read about the grant being given to help restore the Cupar War Memorial. Since arriving in the area I have often admired the impressive monument to the local war dead but never realised fully how it was crumbling.
Dave Carstairs, former chairman of Cupar Community Council certainly did and worked tirelessly to have major problems erased. Now his efforts have been rewarded and a memorial to nearly 200 war dead, will be restored to its former glory.
Ian Wheeler. Springfield, Fife.
Family home the best place
Sir, The Scottish Parliament has passed the Children and Young People (Scotland)Bill. Sadly, this was in spite of widespread opposition from churches’, legal and parents’ groups.
It means that all young people under the age of 18 will have a named guardian to protect and represent their interests. Along with more than a few others I believe this is a retrograde step.
Such will be the drain upon resources that those who need help most as the most vulnerable, will see that potential help reduced.
This bill dilutes the standing of 16 and 17-year-olds. The Scottish Government regards them as mature and informed enough to merit a vote in the September referendum but too lacking in adulthood to go about their normal daily business without the support of a named person.
It is surely the case that parents and family units will be rightly most perturbed and offended. Most parents have both the ability and the will to care for their children and to give them the best possible start in life. Many have wider family help to mentor them along the journey.
It is true that a number of children are vulnerable and, hopefully, very few at exceptional risk of abuse or neglect. This too is undeniably unacceptable. There is a need for an infrastructure of care and protection for such children. However, this Scottish bill is disproportionate to the need.
The safest and most welcoming and rewarding haven for the vast majority of children is the stable and loving environment of the family home.
Rev Alan Livingstone. Scone and St Martins Parish Church, Scone.
If school time is so critical . . .
Sir, Re George K McMillan’s letter on unauthorised removal of children from school. If it is so critical that children receive the maximum amount of face time with teachers, should those same teachers not undertake to give up their training “in service days” and fit them into school holidays?
John Stainton. 9 Hunter Street, Auchterarder.