Sir, – Last Friday we had Theresa May, the new Prime Minister, making an unprecedented gesture of goodwill by making a flying visit to meet Nicola Sturgeon (before heads of states) to assure her that she is open to constructive dialogue on Brexit and other matters affecting Scotland.
However, unsurprisingly the gesture was not reciprocated as the old cliches and make-believes were rolled out by Ms Sturgeon, threatening yet another referendum if impossible and contradictory demands were not met by the UK Government.
Indeed the single-issue SNP has been on over-drive since the Brexit vote to leave was announced in the UK-wide referendum.
For example. we all remember the unedifying spectacle of Ms Sturgeon rushing off to Brussels demanding Scotland should retain an EU status based upon the Scots voting “unequivocally” (41.6%) in favour of Europe only to be given embarrassing short shrift from Germany, Spain and even France.
However, Mrs May, in reaching out to Ms Sturgeon, has undoubtedly called her bluff in the full knowledge Scotland’s current fiscal black hole precludes membership of the EU as an independent country.
There will be no referendum but be prepared for the rhetoric from SNP being taken to a new level.
Ian Lakin.
Pinelands,
Murtle Den Road,
Milltimber.
Troops’ families may back SNP
Sir, – Jim Smith (July 11) wonders what the relatives of British troops who died in two world wars and in Korea and ensuing conflicts “think when they hear Nicola Sturgeon, Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson on about breaking up Britain every time they open their mouths”.
I would suggest that, among such relatives living in Scotland, a substantial number will be SNP supporters.
Gordon Dilworth.
20 Baledmund Road,
Moulin.
No consensus on A92 in Fife
Sir, – Bob Taylor makes many good points in his letter about A92 improvements but he refers to a need for unity of purpose from community councillors and Fife councillors for the area.
The problem is that it is not a single area but two areas.
I was the only Fife councillor to attend both the Glenrothes and Freuchie meetings and they were two very different meetings.
Many of the attendees at the Glenrothes meeting were strident in calling for dualling of the A92 all the way to the Tay Road Bridge.
At the Freuchie meeting, the accent was on community and the proper functioning of the village, not on building a faster, wider road.
I know from my meetings with residents and community councils that the majority of people in north-east Fife would like to see improvements on the A92 but they do not want a dual carriageway.
There may be unity of purpose for a safer, better road but not for a dual carriageway.
Cllr Andy Heer.
Howe of Fife and Tay Coast.
Make cyclists traceable
Sir, – From the tone of his sarcastic letter (July 16) it is obvious that I have upset George White. I make no apology. It is obvious that Mr White is a cyclist with a hate complex towards motorists whereas I pointed out a visible but large minority of cyclists do a disservice to cyclists who obey the Highway Code.
His comment that cyclists, who are also motorists, pay towards the roads is true but the point I was making is that cyclists pay only a fraction of the millions of pounds the Scottish Government spends on cycle-related expenditure.
Local authorities spent an additional £20 million. Mr White makes the strange point that 7,300 motorists were caught speeding on the A92 as if this excuses the rogue cyclist.
These motorists were deservedly caught because they had a vehicle registration number.
Will Mr White demand that cyclists have a registration number so that the rogues can be identified?
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Author of his own downfall
Sir, – I was always taught that respect has to be earned and it comes to you by way of a response to your treatment of others, and not as David A MacKenzie suggests because you chose to take on a particular role in life (July 16).
He levels criticism at the Westminster SNP MPs for not applauding David Cameron’s departure from the House of Commons, overlooking the fact that, from their point of view, this was the man who had secured the result he was looking for from the Scottish referendum by making a promise to the voters which he never kept.
He further maligns the same people as robotic narcissists when all they were doing was maintaining a dignified silence.
In truth David Cameron lost his position as PM because of poor judgment.
He called an unnecessary referendum which resulted in Brexit and had he not denied voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds, he would still be in his job.
Unlike those who still hanker for the good old days which no longer exist, they would have voted in sufficient numbers for a Remain outcome.
Allan A. MacDougall.
37 Forth Park,
Bridge of Allan.
Speechless at largesse
Sir, – While driving along the A92 between Dunfermline and Glenrothes, I tried not to dwell too much on the litter-strewn verges and the overflowing bins in every lay-by.
Alas, I thought, we are seeing the impact of the financial difficulties local authorities find themselves in these days.
Then I arrived home and read The Courier’s report on Fife Council’s decision to award £1 million of taxpayers’ money to enhance the already generous retirement packages to three of its staff. Words fail me.
Bob Hutchison,
2 Rosemount Crescent,
Glenrothes.
Scotland did not show respect
Sir, – All over the world there is a well understood protocol about how to treat visiting presidents and prime ministers.
If our Prime Minister was visiting the USA she would speak to the press alongside the President with a stars and stripes and a Union Flag behind them.
In France there would be a Tricolore and the Union Flag.
In Russia they would extend that same courtesy. So why did the SNP spin doctors decide to be so small minded as to put two Saltires behind the Prime Minister and the First Minister as they were filmed meeting in Bute House?
After the SNP’s Westminster contingent chose to disrespect our outgoing Prime Minister just a few days ago with their display of bad manners as he left the House of Commons, we now have this.
A warm welcome should be offered to everyone visiting Scotland, and their country treated with the utmost respect.
In this case doubly so, because the leader in question leads the UK which is our country and its flag is ours too, just as much as Scotland and the Saltire.
The importance of flags can be overdone of course. But they are symbolic, and in this case such a cheap attempt to disrespect the UK’s Prime Minister was in thoroughly bad taste.
Keith Howell,
White Moss,
West Linton.
In praise of Ninewells
Sir, – I spent over a week in Ninewells Hospital wards eight and seven and am indebted to the very hard-working nurses and staff for their care. I am 88 and in my entire working life never saw anyone do so much and be so helpful to all.
Although Ninewells Hospital itself is looking a bit rundown and tired, the wonderful nurses work tirelessly and we are very lucky to have them when we are in a time of great need.
Elizabeth MacDougall.
9 Ladywell Avenue,
Dundee.