Sir, – Alistair Ballantyne’s observation (HS2’s Scottish benefits unclear, Courier, February 13) on the benefits of HS2, or as he would probably assert the non benefits, needs some clarification.
Wherever high speed rail links have been created, the economics benefits have been significant.
This has been the experience in China, Japan and France.
These countries all have well established high speed ‘bullet trains’.
So it isn’t exactly pioneering technology or an economic experiment.
The worth of the system to a nation has been proven.
Cutting down travel times is only one aspect of the advantage of high speed links.
The other important factor is that because of the reduction in travel times more trains can use the track, thus increasing volume, reducing costs and making transport much more efficient.
It has to be considered also that at least 22,000 jobs will be created during the construction phase and it is estimated that as many as 100,000 jobs will be created in spin-offs from the new link.
This has been the experience in other countries.
As far as Scotland is concerned, not only will there be faster connection to other parts of the UK, so that there will be increased business opportunities, but also Scotland can expect a £10 billion windfall as part of the Barnett formula which adjusts the amount of public spending allocated to Scotland to reflect changes down south.
Large infrastructure projects like HS2 will always have detractors and enthusiasts in equal measure but experience from other parts of the world shows high speed rail links are beneficial for an economy and the environment in reducing the need for road transport.
It is a win-win project for both Scotland and the UK and with the the £10 billion windfall for Scotland as a consequence, what’s not to like ?
Iain G Richmond.
Guildy House,
Monikie,
Angus.
Pursuing self- determination
Sir, – Douglas Cowe ( Enough of the grandstanding, Courier, February 13) tells us that it is ‘an utter insult to the people of Scotland that Nicola Sturgeon wants total separation from Westminster and prefers to be ruled, controlled and dominated by Brussels’.
Where do I start?
Ms Sturgeon can wish for whatever she wants, but it is of no consequence unless the people of Scotland vote her party into government: and they do, and have done consistently since 2007.
And there is no doubt about what they are voting for: it’s in the name.
But Ms Sturgeon is not the SNP.
She has been leader since 2014, a long time, and will inevitably stand down at some point, and her successor, if fortunate enough to have the support of the Scottish electorate, will continue to pursue the cause of self-determination for Scotland.
As for the EU: the Scottish people recently voted, decisively, to remain in the EU, but to no avail.
In an independent Scotland it will not be the SNP who will make the decision whether or not to rejoin.
It will again be the decision of the Scottish people, through their elected representatives in the Scottish Parliament.
Their purpose having been served, there may well no longer be an SNP by that time.
That is the whole point of the campaign for independence: that the people of Scotland should have the right to choose their own path, a path which, for the last 300 years, has generally been decided by the wishes, and latterly the votes, of our friends and neighbours in England.
Given that several recent polls have shown majority support in Scotland for independence, I would suggest that it is perhaps Mr Cowe who is insulting the people of Scotland by his scorn for their wishes.
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens, Dundee.
PM taking leaf out of FM’s book
Sir, – So we’re told Boris Johnson has in effect obliged Sajid Javid to resign as chancellor so he can exercise better control of the output and messaging of not only number 10 but number 11, with a unified advisory team. It would seem in this Mr Johnson takes a leaf from Nicola Sturgeon’s book. She – and her husband, Peter Murrell, SNP chief executive – are renowned for exercising rigid party discipline, particularly over senior party members, with an extensive team of spin-doctors attempting to ensure all sing from the first minister’s hymn sheet.
Martin Redfern.
Woodcroft Road,
Edinburgh.
No end in sight for Upper House
Sir, – Having witnessed Boris Johnson’s arrogance with his “these people” comment at PMQs, it must be clear even to our opponents, that Scotland has no relevance or place in Westminster.
The question was about the increase in the daily rate to the unelected peers of the second chamber.
The daily rate is now higher than the allowance given to a single person on universal credit each month.
Any reasonable individual would see this as an abomination and a stain on any democratic society – but not Boris Johnson.
I wonder how this will go down in his new Tory northern constituencies.
The demise of the House of Lords has been threatened for decades yet in 2020 it’s still there. Being rather sad, I watch the Parliament channel and today it was a debate in the House of Lords on restrictions on referendums in the future, with particular reference on setting a higher bar on what is an acceptable vote.
Clearly any attempt to increase the percentage figure beyond 50% would have consequences for Scotland.
This discussion in any political context would be worrying, but this was the “Lords”.
Looking around this unelected chamber were dozens of familiar “has been” politicians, many from Scotland, many never elected, many failed and all anti-independence.
They were discussing and deciding what should be the threshold in future for a successful referendum result and all clocking in no doubt, for their £323 (tax free) plus expenses daily wage.
This spectacle needs to end, but with the soon arrival of Baroness Ruth Davidson, it will not be likely anytime soon.
Dan Wood.
Charles Melvin Gardens, Kirriemuir.
What level of threat is needed
Sir, – It’s probably fair to say that the Met Office did a fair job of predicting both the timing and intensity of Storm Ciara (Multi-million flooding defence gates left open, Courier Feb 11).
Against that background, we can only speculate at the level of imminent catastrophe that would have to threaten Dundee before the council finally decided to activate the city’s flood defences.
On the bright side, the council’s review “to find out which procedures have worked” shouldn’t take too long.
Ian Davidson.
St Jerome’s,
Brae Street, Dunkeld.
Far too many repeats on BBC
Sir, – Briefly, according to listings in today’s papers the BBC is offering 25% repeats and STV is offering no repeats.
Is the BBC worthy of licence fees ?
A A Bullions.
6 Glencairn Crescent,
Leven.
