Sir, – As a Dundonian, I am extremely enthusiastic about the potential of the new V&A.
It is a radical building – an architectural masterpiece in a spectacular situation (despite the encroaching brutalist boxes to the north).
Like many thousands, I stood in line, then crossed the threshold with great anticipation and expectations.
The interior did not disappoint with its light-filled cavernous volume and sleek detailing.
What I did not expect in this 21st century setting was to find a 19th century museum.
I could have spent hours in the V&A touring exhibition, Ocean Liners: Speed and Style Exhibition.
But what a let-down the other displays and the Scottish Design Galleries were.
Whoever curated them needs to mirror the uniqueness and capaciousness of the building.
In a building that oozes space, we are presented with token exhibitions that look as if they have come straight from the V&A attic in Kensington.
Trying to do too much, they are crammed together, with poor graphics, little coherence, and not much relevance to what is Scottish design.
It was put more succinctly by a local I overheard – “Braw building, but eh dinnae ken aboot what’s on show”.
A good start V&A, but please do not rest on the laurels of the initial hype.
For £80 million, I think people expect more than just a building.
James N M Greig.
Heronbank,
99a Tay Street,
Newport on Tay.
Facts were questionable
Sir, – I watched the BBC2 programme on the night of the opening of the V&A.
Given the nature and significance of the project, why was no one from Dundee University School of Architecture or Dundee University School of Design within Duncan of Jordanstone College invited to comment among those asked to contribute to the story of the project?
This was a serious omission.
Meanwhile, on a different note, I always understood that the contribution of Dundee’s whaling industry to the city’s jute industry was that whale oil helped make jute fibre easier to handle.
This is contrary to what was said on the programme which suggested that whale oil powered the jute mills.
Whale oil was useful for lamps and for the production of margarine.
Surely the official historical background to the project could have been better researched.
Mona Clark.
9 Millbay Terrace,
Dundee.
Unlocking City Hall’s potential
Sir, – With regard to the redevelopment and restoration of Perth City Hall, surely it should feature – as well as the planned art and museum exhibits – exhibitions of current and future Perthshire events of all kinds, including cultural and sporting occasions.
Some historical accounts and present day information on display would help local visitors and foreign tourists.
In fact, it is the best place to house the Perth Tourist Information centre, so near to the city centre and bus and rail stations.
The City Hall is also ideal for such social occasions as weddings and dances, with its famous sprung floor, and for smaller concerts and recitals, for which the Concert Hall is far too big.
Unless plans include such broader functions, we won’t realise the hall’s full potential and also lose useful revenue opportunities to help it pay.
Isabel and Charles Wardrop.
111 Viewlands Rd West,
Perth.
Brexit is leaving UK on the brink
Sir, – The humiliation of Theresa May in Salzburg was inevitable.
Her lecture on their need to support her “soft” Brexit plan to the EU’s 27 leaders with its implied threats was met with stoney silence.
For the last two years the “Maybot” has begged the Eurocrats for a Brexit that will do least damage.
The Eurocrats have made clear Brexit means the UK 100% leaving.
The Eurocrats try to put it into the Maybot’s head that the “soft” Brexit option has never existed.
At the various press conferences which follow her fraught and unproductive meetings in Brussels, EU sources say time after time she is “delusional” for not accepting that Brexit can only be 100% and nothing else.
Macron sees Brexit as his opportunity to get Paris to usurp London as the world’s financial centre.
He also wishes France to replace the UK as the main bridge for US Imperial interests in Europe.
The Eurocrats now seem to be banking on Brexit being reversed.
They see there is no majority in Westminster for a no deal option.
They would hope the collapse of a May Government would make the possibility of a second EU referendum more likely.
However, this course of action would necessitate the removal of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader.
His opposition to austerity and war is unacceptable to the political class.
The inevitable outcome of the Brexit process will be the final disintegration of the UK as a unitary state.
Alan Hinnrichs.
2 Gillespie Terrace,
Dundee.
Kingdom is far from united
Sir, – Oh dear, here we are again.
With a mere six months to Brexit, PM May once again takes to the stage and shows to Europe and the world how out of her depth she is in the world of diplomacy.
Mind you, it can’t be easy trying to herd the cats in her “strong and stable” government…
But really, what a truly pathetic performance.
The EU 27 must, like many of us, be shaking their heads in disbelief.
Apparently we are at “an impasse” and the UK is “not for moving”.
Two years on and she seemingly doesn’t understand that on leaving a club you do not dictate your method of leaving.
And now it seems the voices of Northern Ireland must be heard.
Didn’t they vote to remain?
But perhaps it is the voice of the DUP she alludes to.
However, just like Scotland’s overwhelming remain voice, Northern Ireland’s voice is destined to be ignored in favour of the Conservative’s increasingly isolationist ideology.
As the pound plummets as fast as the UK’s standing, never has independence been such an appealing, and attainable, goal.
If Scotland doesn’t grasp the opportunity to leave this increasingly dis-United Kingdom I fear the worst for our public services, our farming and fishing communities, our NHS, our culture and our standing in the world.
Scotland deserves better than the impending disaster PM May is advocating.
The time to stand strong in the light of a UK Government seemingly hell bent on self-destruction is now.
We can be so much better when we join the ranks of so many other successful small independent countries.
Surely we couldn’t do any worse than what is currently on offer from PM May and her government.
Graeme Finnie.
Balgillo,
Albert Street,
Blairgowrie.
Time to grasp new realities
Sir, – All comments on May’s dilemma which exhort the Labour Party to amend its stance on recognising the vote to leave the EU are nothing but jaundiced chunks of bourgeois nonsense emitted by the Guardian camp of fifth columnists, and their dupes.
Such advice to the trade union and labour movement is all about strengthening the position of capital at the expense of labour interests.
A truly successful political and electoral strategy must rest on recognition of the decision to leave the EU, to exploit the chaos in Tory ranks by forcing a general election and ignoring EU diktats when a Corbyn Government implements its manifesto commitments to the many at the expense of the few.
An arrangement with other European states based on those realities is the only way forward.
Raymond Mennie.
49 Ashbank Road,
Dundee.
Democracy sadly lacking
Sir, – Where is the democracy among our slippery MPs who keep calling for another referendum till we vote what they want?
The majority of our MPs can’t be trusted.
We will be free after we leave Europe to steer our own ship.
John G Phimister.
63 St Clair Street,
Kirkcaldy.
