Madam, – I read the latest missive from your correspondent, Ken Clark (Westminster spinning dishonest narrative, Courier, June 13).
He deploys his usual “we’re a’ doomed” platform to forecast the demise of the NHS in UK at the fault of the “Unionist Government” in England and Wales.
When will Mr Clark begin to consider how the independent Scotland he craves will afford the current levels of public services now available in Scotland?
Common to all of the most avid independence supporters is a complete absence of factual detail.
That is replaced by a scaremongering narrative based upon unsupported assertion.
At the present time, the responsibility for the NHS in Scotland belongs principally to Holyrood.
Holyrood, under a political party different from the SNP, may very well have different fiscal and strategic policies from those that we see from our present economics minister, Derek Mackay, who constantly gives the impression he has no clear idea about fiscal management and demographic priority.
As an example, maybe Mr Clark can explain why the SNP is spending so much taxpayer funds on the introduction of Gaelic signage throughout Scotland while bemoaning the fact HM Treasury does not provide yet more funding to allow the development of equally daft schemes.
Why do we need our police cars emblazoned with Poileas Alba, when less than 1.5% of the population in Scotland speaks Gaelic?
Derek Farmer.
Knightsward Farm,
Anstruther.
Beauty contest is a horror show
Madam, – The Tory beauty pageant – or more accurately horror show – to replace Prime Minister Theresa May is a grotesque spectacle.
A collection of non-entities and far-right oddballs.
All of them supporters of entrenched privilege, mass-surveillance, privatisation, cronyism, and endless war.
No amount of media fawning can dispel the disgusting reek that pervades this Tory coronation. This contest will be a spectacle of debasement and political filth.
No new Tory leader will be able to resolve the Brexit paradox.
With the installation of Boris Johnson and a hard Brexit there is a feeling that the UK is on a path to economic suicide.
The UK is undergoing economic and social decline.
The Tory Party represents corruption, greed, ruthless militarism and financial parasitism.
The Tory contest in general and Boris Johnson’s campaign in particular will be a mixture of mudslinging, lies, canned rhetoric, phoney promises, thinly veiled racism, and a call for more war.
Boris Johnson is an embarrassing, ridiculously absurd buffoon and a blathering popinjay.
It says much to the debasement of the Tories that this blustering jester is now poised to be their leader.
The new Tory prime minister will continue with policies that increase homelessness, poverty, benefit sanctions,debt, rent, bankruptcies, wealth of the rich, the trade gap, and bankers bonuses.
Alan Hinnrichs.
2 Gillespie Terrace,
Dundee.
Deep irony in new PM election
Madam, – One of the oft repeated arguments for Brexit is to restore democracy for Britain.
It is ironic therefore that 300 odd Tories and 100,000 Conservative party members are the only people that will decide the next prime minister of Great Britain.
So much for democracy.
Perhaps in order to make the process of electing the next PM more open and democratic our MP, Kirstene Hair, should tell us who she is backing in the race and why.
Brian Batson.
7 Lour Road,
Forfar.
Many Ruth Davidsons
Madam, – It seems a third Ruth Davidson has appeared.
A lady called Ruth Davidson recently said that a referendum on Scottish independence should only happen if the SNP wins an “outright majority” at the next Holyrood elections.
Prior to this, another lady called Ruth Davidson said the next UK prime minister should continue to refuse a referendum on Scottish independence whatever the circumstances.
In July 2016 a lady, also called Ruth Davidson, commented it would “not be wise” for the next prime minister to block a request for a second independence referendum.
At the time she noted that questions over trading markets, currency and borders were now “utterly different” following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
It would clearly be good for the public to know which Ruth Davidson is the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
Alex Orr.
Flat 3, 2 Marchmont Road,
Edinburgh.
Waiting your turn for the GP
Madam, – GPs are concerned that the timescale for appointments, as set out by Jeremy Hunt, needs to be increased from 10 to 15 minutes.
Is there not a case for leaving the organisation of these matters to people with hands on experience?
In the old days notices of the cost of missed appointments did not occur, patients who needed to visit their doctor turned up at the opening time for GP consultation and waited for their turn.
Allan Bullions.
6 Glencairn Crescent,
Leven, Fife.
Where should the sick go?
Madam, – The Courier’s front page article (Numbers attending A&E soar across Fife, Courier, June 12) is hardly surprising. GP appointments are scarce to come by with less than a week’s notice and Fife Health Board operates restricted hours for Out of Hours Services outside Kirkcaldy.
Where do they expect people to go with immediate health needs?
Martin Dibley.
56 High Street,
Anstruther.
Plastic free fruit and veg please
Madam, – I live in Perth where the shopping for food is a choice between the big brands such as Lidl, Aldi and Tesco. Plastic pervades almost every part of the products we take into our homes.
We all know that plastic cannot be used as rampantly as it is today but in Britain it is mostly left to the taxpayer to sort it out. I am annoyed. I am angry.
If the companies cannot regulate themselves, the government, to use a well-worn out phrase, need to take back control! Buying loose fruit and vegetables is better than buying food wrapped in plastic.
Andrew Ballingall.
2 Maple Road,
Perth.
