Sir, It is reported that things became “dark” and “aggressive” when the boss of one of the UK’s largest companies raised concerns about independence during a meeting with members of the Scottish Government.
Similar concerns expressed by some supermarket groups have caused a board member of the “Yes” campaign to welcome the departure of Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Asda from Scotland in the event of independence.
During a recent TV debate, Nicola Sturgeon shouted down Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael when his views contradicted hers.
Examples of behaviour such as this clearly indicate what kind of regime would exist in an independent Scotland.
They simply will not tolerate any argument or opinion if it goes against their own view of matters.
Individual liberty and freedom of expression would therefore probably also be out of the question in an independent Scotland
Nowhere is this governmental attitude mentioned in the 648 page white paper Scotland’s Future.
I wonder how many appreciate what really lies ahead in such an intolerant independent Scotland.
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.
It’s in Geneva Convention
Sir, I take issue with Mr Alan Bell (letters, December 10), regarding his views on military justice. His view that there is no morality in war is mistaken. It’s laid down by the Geneva Convention and is observed by all civilised nations.
The marine sergeant’s sentence was handed down by court martial, which by military necessity takes a harsher view of criminal matters than its civilian counterpart. Once found guilty there seemed to be no other sentence appropriate. The Taliban no doubt hang body parts from trees, and barbarous as that is, it does not justify equally barbarous behaviour.
I’ve no doubt the marine sergeant will, rightly, be released in the near future, but this was a particularly cold-blooded killing, fuelled in my opinion, by macho mess-hall culture, rather than good order and military discipline.
The British military, for disciplinary reasons, cannot descend into revenge attacks on wounded prisoners.
We are better than that.
James Davie. 33 Aberdour Place, Barnhill, Dundee.
Take heed of Jim’s words
Sir, Congratulations Jim Crumley, what a masterful commentary on the Perth City Hall debacle in The Courier on Tuesday.
Had the project been run in a truly professional and business-like manner, we would not have had the Wharfedale situation to start with.
It was very clear at the time the Wharfedale proposal was never going to fly the delays were so clearly indicative of an inability to convince any major retailer of the financial viability of taking up residence in the property.
The first “Hallelujah” moment came when the council eventually kicked Wharfedale into touch and decided to demolish and create an open civic space.
However, in stepped a bunch of misguided do-gooders with authority beyond their abilities, in the form of Historic Scotland, to throw another spanner in the works, cause further delay and provide a platform for the long-aggrieved Mr Linacre to reignite his fanciful scheme.
We had all sorts of reports of “considerable” interest in developing the City Hall but in reality, given the overall economic situation and Perth’s plight in particular, did we honestly expect developers or retailers to have any appetite for such a scheme.
I sincerely hope there are no other diversions to confuse/delay/frustrate progress and I hope we heed the wise words of Jim Crumley (and others).
Mike Cowie. 123 Glasgow Road, Perth.
Comments are beyond belief
Sir, It is a very long time since I read such unmitigated and romanticised rubbish as Jim Crumley’s remarks this week on the Perth City Hall and “civic square”.
His comments on the wonderful benefits that this will bring to the citizens of Perth are beyond belief.
Apart from anything else, would it need an architect to “design” a large open space?
Patrick Taylor. Mossgiel, Snaigow, Dunkeld.
Is it really “our” country?
Sir, As an Englishman living in Scotland the problem which occurs to me about Scottish independence is that the day after the referendum, when we all possibly wake up in an independent Scotland and also an independent England, the overwhelming majority of both populations will still be dispossessed in the land of their birth.
While both the English and the Scots may talk about “our country” in a possessive sense neither of us actually owns very much of our respective countries. Control of most of the important stuff was sold of cheap years ago and there is not much that either the wee parliament in Edinburgh or the small parliament in London can actually do about that.
The name of this game is divide and rule. We really do not know who owns most of the country’s assets that we all depend on. For example, it might have come as a revelation that Grangemouth was owned, apparently, by one man and that he does not even live in Scotland.
Solidarity, brothers!
Philip Roberts. Ascurry Mill, by Letham, Angus.