Madam, – Regina Erich (Letters, August 2) finds Alex Bell’s analysis (“Independence truth time”, The Courier, August 1) of the Scottish Government’s inaction refreshing.
Perhaps she could inform us where, in Mr Bell’s analysis, were there any facts?
It’s just his opinion and in reality, is not given much credence by the more open minded.
Regina Erich is a unionist and as such jumps on anything that even hints of “SNP bad”.
In her letter she attempts to raise the unionists’ only weapon – scaremongering.
I refer to her question about pensions. She states it is crucial people know if their pensions will be paid in an independent Scotland.
We got this from Better Together and various other unionist organisations during the campaigning in the run up to the independence referendum.
We were informed by these people that pensions would not be paid. Infamously Conservative and Labour activists and politicians visited old folks’ homes informing the residents they would lose their pensions if they voted “Yes”.
A scurrilous tactic.
This was despite the fact the DWP had stated they would continue to pay all pensions should Scotland gain independence, as people had paid in.
So, in answer to Regina Erich’s question, the exact same is still the case, the DWP will continue to pay pensions.
And further to her other points and those of Alex Bell, perhaps they could inform us when the independence campaign started, as I must have missed it.
Information will be forthcoming once the campaign starts as will, no doubt, the scaremongering from the unionists.
In any event I do not know why she is concerned as she and the other unionists keep telling us there won’t be another independence referendum in Scotland.
Stephen Windsor,
The Holdings,
Kinfauns,
Perth.
Keep debate constructive
Madam, – Mr Les Mackay (Letters, August 2) expresses his political views in terms little short of hatred of his party’s opponents, in particular of the prime minister.
Mr Alan Hinnrichs (Letters, July 31) struck a similar note, albeit more lurid.
The late, great Alistair Cooke, of “Letter from America” fame, said a good political correspondent’s copy should not make clear their own political stance.
We do not, of course, expect such objectivity in letters written to newspapers.
Partisan views are always interesting, whether or not the reader is sympathetic to the opinions they read.
However, it is surely not unreasonable for readers to expect good manners in correspondents’ letters.
Political affiliations, realistically, are not usually felt as intensely as sporting convictions; politics is not a sports team game.
Although one recalls the injunction “Don’t vote for them, it only encourages them”, we should assume that most politicos are, probably, trying to do their best for the nation, whether or not we agree with them.
Therefore, it is probably useful and relevant to encourage them in their endeavours.
Constructive criticism may get better results than brickbats.
Dr Charles Wardrop,
111 Viewlands Rd West,
Perth.
Prisoners’ vote a smart move
Madam, – The SNP decision to allow prisoners to vote in the Shetland by-election affects only five people, but it is a smart move.
After losing 500,000 voters since 2015, every X counts these days.
Inmates of Perth Prison might enable Pete Wishart to extend his wafer-thin 21-vote majority and it also ensures that, whatever happens, Alex Salmond and Natalie McGarry can vote.
In any case it’s a powerful argument: “Vote for us ‘cos we gave you the vote”.
Allan Sutherland,
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
Dunkeld Road plan dismay
Madam, – I am a resident of Dunkeld Road and it was with dismay I read about the £6 million secured from Sustrans to upgrade the Dunkeld Road (“Motor Mile to be transformed into eco-friendly zone”, The Courier, August 1).
I can only describe this as the death of Perth city and the creation of abject problems on the Dunkeld Road.
These decisions have been dreamt up by people who don’t live on these roads.
Some of the reasons why this is a bad idea include:
The impact on people’s health (I myself have lung problems) when pushing traffic into a single carriageway running down the side of the houses heading north, with more pollution generated down Dunkeld Road heading out of the city centre towards Inveralmond roundabout.
Secondly, the houses already shake with the vibrations from lorries and buses, a single carriageway would have a further direct impact.
In addition, people would avoid the “congestion” that would have a direct impact on the Asda store and McDonald’s, and visitors would avoid the area heading into Perth city centre, because of the traffic layout, thus we’d have fewer people visiting Perth city.
The area would also become a venue for anti-social behaviour with its open space, what with potential noise issues, problems with dogs etc.
And, finally, emergency vehicles responding to accidents, fires etc pass on a daily basis up the Dunkeld Road. How will this affect them?
This list is not exhaustive.
I for one will be attending the consultation phase.
Kathleen Griffin,
36 Dunkeld Road,
Perth.
Accessible care home gardens
Madam, – As we grow older, many of us who are not already inveterate gardeners begin to take more interest in gardens, especially flower gardens.
Having some years’ experience of befriending elderly folks living in locally based care homes, I feel many of these good people would benefit greatly from a closer proximity to appropriate in-house gardens.
Although some care homes do provide some sort of garden facility, these are, more often than not, difficult to access and subject to the vagaries of climate.
Perhaps some enterprising investor, or architect, would consider designing care homes with rooms built around, and looking into a central garden area/hub.
This could be illuminated during long winter evenings, encouraging people outside and thus providing a welcome alternative to the “goggle box”.
Kenneth Miln,
6 Swallow Apts,
Union St,
Monifieth.
Shock at high unemployment
Madam, – It’s incredible to read of the high unemployment figures for the major cities in Scotland, where some households have not had anyone in work for years.
Why is it then that our farmers are complaining of not being able to get enough labour to harvest their crops? Or that the the hotel and service industries cannot get local people to work for them?
Surely some of these people must be capable of meaningful work?
Or is it like the social issue of drug addiction, that its easier to forget about it and hope the problem goes away?
Bob Duncan,
110 Caesar Avenue,
Carnoustie.
