Madam, – I wish to address the issues raised by Jenny Hujl in her column of March 20, (Alex Neil and Jim Silars have exploded myth of SNP unity on Brexit, Courier.)
Ms Hjul brushes off the total shambles presently taking place in Westminster by both the Tory and Labour parties by indicating the issues are only about Leave and Remain and not left and right. Leave and Remain are about the left and right! Anyone looking objectively would clearly see the total meltdown of the right and left wings of the Tory Party with British/ English nationalism very much uppermost.
Labour’s internal problems are no better. It is therefore choice if not disingenuous to suggest, even if it were true, that two individuals whom she incorrectly calls senior Nationalists have in some way made transparent the charade of a controlling SNP hierarchy.
Anyone who knows SNP supporters will know they have their own minds and express these forcefully at every opportunity.
With a membership in excess of 120,000, I rest my case.
Having been in government in Scotland for the last 11 years and been elected as the largest Scottish party at Westminster in the last two elections, the SNP has nothing to prove in terms of its right to speak for the Scottish nation and its people both in the first past the post system and under proportional representation.
One has simply to look at how Scotland has developed socially and economically during its time in government.
This can only lead to anyone else from the UK looking on enviously.
The facts of the matter are that the SNP, unlike the Tories and Labour, are a disciplined focused party looking after the interests of Scotland in the face of London-centric branch office parties who repeatedly ignore Scotland and its right to be heard in Westminster.
Finally there is very little of this article based on fact.
Once again expressed in this “As I see it” article is SNP bad at every turn while every other party is incredibly reasonable and fair.
The SNP have had little input to the decision making of Brexit and no access to the decision makers, yet ensure the Scottish nation which voted overwhelmingly to remain, are heard again and again .
Dan Wood,
Charles Melvin Gardens,
Kirriemuir.
Prospects for Britain good
Madam, – Since when did Scots become jaundiced followers of propaganda, cowering away from the challenge of a lifetime, led by those so frightened of independence, they are desperate for the security of the Treaty of Rome.
The United Kingdom has been at war with Europe for generations. Britain did them a favour being a member, and the only reason we joined was to increase market possibilities, and fight from within.
Yet all we get from our representatives and the media is gloom and doom about Brexit.
There are over 50 Commonwealth countries waiting to trade with us, not to mention America, Middle East, Far East, and anywhere else in the world.
We can do this. Easy.
Alan Bell,
Roods,
Kirriemuir.
Taking the advice on offer
Madam, – I have been seeing adverts giving Brexit information on the television in recent days.
Perhaps the PM and all of the other MPs in Westminster should take the advice and contact the Gov/org sites for some information themselves.
The evidence shows that none of them has a clue as to the damage they are about to inflict on the UK in order to placate the right wing of the Conservative Party.
Harry Key,
20 Mid Street,
Largoward.
Time to revoke Article 50
Madam, – The latest Brexit fiasco shows England is not ready for self-government and it’s a nonsense for Theresa May to blame MPs when the buck stops with her.
Over three years she failed to reach out to others when she couldn’t get her own party to support her proposals.
She pulled a Brexit vote in December and dangerously ran down the clock trying to blackmail MPs into supporting her bad deal.
Jeremy Corbyn is just as bad and not fit to lead the main opposition party far less becomes prime minister.
The SNP opposed triggering Article 50 as there was no Brexit plan, but Jeremy Corbyn whipped Labour MPs in support, thus handing the country’s fate to Theresa May’s chaotic Brexiteers and the DUP.
It is time for Parliament to revoke Article 50 until a sensible customs union and single market solution is agreed which will solve the Irish backstop issue.
Mary Thomas,
27 Watson Crescent,
Edinburgh.
Waste plan is a load of rubbish
Madam, – How topical that ITV should broadcast an item on rubbish collection and fly-tipping the day that The Courier carried an article on Dundee City refusing to accept non-recyclable waste from Angus (Angus people banned from Dundee skip sites, Courier, March 21).
This is now becoming something resembling the Brexit debacle.
It is as bad as school kids arguing about whose mobile phone is the best. Grow up and talk sense not rubbish.
Why can’t there be a standardised system?
I can only suggest that much of the fly-tipping in Angus emanates from the city itself.
I hope that if proved to emanate from Dundee, the cost is invoiced to Dundee city.
Geoff Bray,
Heather Croft,
Letham,
Angus.
Wrong approach from council
Madam, – I bet no-one in Angus will be surprised at the report of fly-tipping and its possible effect on tourism (Fears Angus fly-tipping epidemic may ruin countyside reputation, Courier, March 20).
We have at present a council deliberately making it as difficult as possible to dispose of waste, recyclable or not.
What do they expect?
I’d wager my shirt it costs them more to clean up fly-tipping than it would to keep the skip sites as they were.
This is a council prepared to spend thousands to win a case in order to spend another £400,000 demolishing a building local businessmen are prepared to save. It is nuts.
They have introduced extremely unpopular car parking charges that up to now have not generated the hoped for income but have harmed local traders, some badly.
We really are now being governed by the least among us, so can only look forward to more depressing reports in the papers.
Garry Stewart,
Springbank,
Clayholes,
Carnoustie.
Graveyard upkeep idea
Madam, – Re your article, “Burial costs hiked to pay for repairs” (Courier, March 22).
Having visited Pere-la-Chaise graveyard in Paris, their system seems a good example.
The family put up the stone and are responsible initially.
After 100 years the remains are placed in a “columbarium” and recorded.
The grave site can then be re-used. My many greats grandfather had been moved, but my husband’s ancestor had a few years to go and, if he had wished, the authorities would have kept the site going for another 100 years for a considerable sum of money.
Mrs Caroline Spragge,
17 Dunkeld Road,
Blairgowrie.
