Sir, – Keith Howell’s letter regarding Catalonia and Scotland (November 2) makes one wonder if he has taken in the events of the past weeks.
His assertion is that a “silent majority” are threatened by a separatist movement attempting to impose its will.
How a minority can impose its agenda on a majority isn’t explained. As for the make-up of this threatened silent majority, documentary evidence shows them to be less than silent, with a propensity for violence, swastikas and nazi salutes.
In response to this provocation, which follows on from recent Spanish police barbarity, the Catalan population have shown remarkable restraint.
The politically expedient, post-Franco, 1978 constitution, has been used as justification for Madrid’s brutal response to Catalonian independence aspirations. Promises made to the Catalans at that time regarding their autonomy have been reneged on, mirroring London’s devo max vow to Scotland which suffered a similar fate.
The most recent polls in Catalonia have shown support for independence at 53%, which contradicts Mr Howell’s claim.
The only proper course in the current climate would be a referendum, with outside observers ensuring a fair and honest process with none of the disgusting scenes witnessed previously.
As for Mr Howell’s warning concerning a future Scottish referendum, does he envisage our democratically elected representatives being charged with sedition for carrying out the wishes of their electorate as we have seen in Catalonia?
Or, heaven forbid, a repeat of the events in Glasgow’s George Square in 1919, with troops, machine guns, tanks and artillery being deployed from England to quell Scottish dissatisfaction with Westminster rule?
Ken Clark.
335 King Street,
Broughty Ferry.
SNP should apologise
Sir, – Stuart Wishart, in seemingly defending what many consider indefensible, discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, misses the point of my letter to which he responds.
Nicola Sturgeon is to apologise on behalf of the Scottish administration to gay men convicted of now-abolished sex offences.
I believe she is correct in so doing.
However, the point of my letter was to question, since she apparently believes this is the right thing to do, whether she should also admit the SNP and the independence movement which she heads, was wrong to have been bankrolled in the past by Sir Brian Souter.
As Mr Wishart is clearly aware, Sir Brian funded a high-profile campaign to keep Section 28 (or Section 2A in Scotland), which many consider to have been anti-gay legislation.
Ms Sturgeon would be wise to attempt to avoid accusations of double standards.
Martin Redfern.
Woodcroft Road,
Edinburgh.
Do not hold back women
Sir, – Rev Dr John Cameron (November 4) chose to denigrate the female of the species by suggesting that, for safety from male molestation, they should either stay at home or opt to work in segregated workplaces.
For his information and re-education it is with great delight as a father of four daughters, two of whom have university degrees and the other two college diplomas, to point out that women are not merely housekeepers and baby producers, and could contribute as much to society as their male counterparts if afforded equal opportunities to do so.
It is true that there are both male and female abusers in our midst, particularly those in positions of power over others, but when it comes to a comparison of the numbers involved, male offenders outperform the females in 90% of cases.
It is time to see through the old boy network which rallies round to protect its members from public exposure and advance, not hinder, the progress of female emancipation.
Allan A MacDougall.37 Forth Park,Bridge of Allan.
Recycling restrictions
Sir, – I have just returned from Montrose recycling centre where I deposited various items of cardboard and plastic. The last item was a 25 litre plastic container with about 15 litres of waste oil from the servicing of my car and a vintage tractor I use for charity road runs.
This is a once a year job and in no way commercial. I was stopped by an employee and advised I could only discharge one five-litre container of waste oil, as it is classed as household.
He also advised it cost the council £300 to get the storage container emptied.
I did ask if this was not the primary function of the facility but that went over his head.
We have had a number of changes to the operation of the facility like reduced hours, restriction on trailer size but no regulation on pick-ups and private vans.
I hoped the change at the election of the council would lead to better overall management but it looks like the new team are just a clone of the last SNP-led council.
George Sangster.
Woodlands,
Logie.
