Sir, In her article SNP resorts to old tactics as CBI speaks out in favour of retaining the union in Wednesday’s Courier, Jenny Hjul tries to justify the CBI stance of refusing to remain neutral in the independence referendum campaign saying it was putting its members’ interests first.
What she fails to say is the CBI refused to consult its Scottish members on the issue. She also failed to mention the fact that John Howie, the chairman of CBI Scotland, is also managing director of Babcock Marine who have a vested interest in the retention of Trident on the Clyde.
Ms Hjul also insinuates public service members of the CBI have been instructed by the SNP Government to give up their membership. If she had done a little research she would have found that public bodies are prohibited from showing a political bias on any issue, therefore, they had no option but to resign their membership of the CBI, something Ms Hjul does not seem to understand.
Ms Hjul also uses the word nationalist in an insulting manner and tries to suggest the “Yes” movement is a front for the SNP. Let me make this clear. I am a member of the Liberal Democrats, I have stood for a number of elections under the Liberal Democrat banner.
I left the SNP with no love being lost and can assure her I am no SNP puppet, but I will not allow my hatred of the SNP to blind me from seeing my children and grandchildren’s future can only be secure with independence.
Returning to Ms Hjul’s article regarding nationalism, is she so blinded by her hate of the SNP that she cannot see that by supporting the union she is in fact supporting British nationalism?
Scottish nationalism has, for my entire life, been based on the right of those living in Scotland to elect a government of their choice and to play an equal part in the international family of nations.
British nationalism, again throughout my lifetime, has been seen as very narrow- minded, imperialistic and parochial and will only play a part within the international family of nations if it can be mother.
Allan Petrie. 49 Blacklock Crescent, Dundee.
Very strange advertising brief
Sir, I was fascinated by the full-page advert in Wednesday’s Courier in support of the “Yes” campaign telling us of many of the good things which have and are happening in and to Scotland.
All of this has taken place under the Scotland/UK governing structure.
It’s a strange brief which has an advertising agency trying to drive home the message about how good things are whilst simultaneously trying to persuade us to take a leap into the unknown and try something else.
For Better Together read Best of Both Worlds and the “Yes” campaign paid for making the point.
Andrew Duncan. 4 South Feus, Upper Largo.
Alex wants his own train set
Sir, Is it really the case that the SNP in government won’t look at a Scottish high-speed rail link to England unless Alex can call it his own train set?
A decent first minister would promise to look at that prospect now, independent or not.
Mike Scott-Hayward. Sawmill House, Kemback Bridge, Fife.
This really takes the biscuit
Sir, There have been an untold number of pieces submitted about the forthcoming referendum, some of them interesting and others just plain silly.
Apart from columnist Jenny Hjul’s persistent attack on the SNP, which is not the real issue, the award for the silliest of all must go to Gordon Brown, the man who awarded pensioners the princely sum of 75p a week when he was chancellor, trying to convince them now that they will be worse off pension-wise in the event of a vote for independence.
Allan MacDougall. 37 Forth Park, Bridge of Allan.
Proof that it is true?
Sir, The latest polls suggest that more women than men intend voting “no” in the September referendum.
Can it, therefore, be assumed that, generally, women are more intelligent than men?
G E Muir. 70 Abbey Road, Scone.
Not the best of starts…
Sir, I was fascinated to read that Scotland’s oldest Shetland pony stud (Shetland pony stalwart, April 24) started with a stock of “two geldings”. Breeding results must have been disappointing at first.
Presumably, somebody had a quiet word with the owner to educate him to the facts. First, that trying to get castrated animals to breed did not constitute a sound business plan and, second, that the involvement of a mare in the breeding process would be helpful.
As a “townie” I often find your farming pages incomprehensible through my ignorance, but in this instance I think my comments are valid!
David Stevenson. 5 Forgan Way, Newport on Tay.