This morning’s letters to The Courier editor cover the transport crisis, university jobs, a Perth energy plant proposal, coronary care and why it makes sense to vote.
Prime Minister must act on transport crisis Sir,-Is Prime Minister Gordon Brown being distracted from dealing with the transport crisis by his and ministers’ involvement in the election campaign? A first duty of government is to ensure the safety and security of citizens.
I have to confess that I did feel that the aftermath of the leaders’ television debate was getting a higher priority than dealing with the effects of volcanic ash.
But, in fairness, since then there has a been a Cabinet meeting, briefing of opposition leaders and making naval vessels available to bring people stranded abroad home. The government has to be seen to give this matter the highest priority.
People will no doubt remember the fuel duty crisis in September 2000 when Tony Blair’s administration floundered but quickly recovered.
The then Prime Minister was right at the centre of the crisis. Equally, coping with the floods that affected the United Kingdom, particularly the west of England in 2007, provided Gordon Brown with a test of leadership. He needs to show some more in the coming days.
The public will quickly sense if he seems to be more concerned with electoral fortunes than the safety of individuals and families.
He will not easily be forgiven if he hides behind officials’ advice when jobs are put at risk because goods and services cannot be moved.
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
Protect vital university jobs
Sir,-Having lived through the mass unemployment in the 1980s with the industrial unrest of the miners and the Timex disputes, to name but a few examples, we are deeply concerned by the decision of Dundee University to seek to return to a period of mass redundancies with the proposals for cuts of over 10% in staffing.
You reported (April 20) of up to 280 job losses, the removal of courses that attract Dundee’s disadvantaged and the closure of courses such as languages for all, to which the wider public have access. This will break the university’s links with the local population and further undermine the city’s regeneration.
The public sector in Dundee is vital for its prosperity, accounting directly for over 40% of employment within the city.
Mass redundancies within the public sector will return the city to periods in the past whereby first, the decline of the jute industry, and then the newer multinational industries increased poverty.
We, therefore, call on the University Court to reject proposals from university managers and call on them to plan to create a university that genuinely reflects its values and connections to the City of Dundee.
Rev Erik Cramb, (Cllr) Tom Ferguson, John McAllion, Arthur Nicoll, Rory Malonec/o Caird House,Perth Road,Dundee.
Council on solid ground
Sir,-I refer to the letter (April 16) from Ms Margaretha Linacre, which included a reference to the consideration given by Perth and Kinross Council to revoking outline planning consent for an energy-from-waste plant (EFW) at a site on Shore Road in Perth.
The information given in that letter is erroneous.
Ms Linacre avers that, at the special meeting of the development control committee held on November 24, 2009, the committee, “having reassured us that they would ‘revoke the smoke’ are now recanting and going their own way with an appeal”.
In fact, the development control committee, as can be seen in the minute of the meeting, “instructed that officers prepare a report on the subject of revocation of the outline consent previously given for submission to an early meeting of the council”.
Thus they did not make any decision on this matter themselves but referred it to the full council, given the importance of the matter.
At the special council meeting on March 24 this year, which considered the report on the implications of revocation, the council determined by 27 to eight, not to pursue revocation.
The reasons were essentially the cost to the public purse of that process, its unpredictable outcome, the legal advice we had that our reasons for refusing the application were sound, and, that since the council owns part of the site, it can preclude its use for this purpose regardless of any other factors.
(Cllr) Alan Grant.Strathmore member,Perth and Kinross Council.
‘Gold standard’ coronary care
Sir,-Last Friday I had a heart attack at home and am grateful to the assistance of the Scottish Ambulance Service and the cardiac teams at Ninewells.
The time taken between the 999 telephone call and having my heart repaired (while still awake) was less than two hours.
It was like a well-rehearsed drill with everyone knowing what to do. Cardiac care unit staff explained to me that this is the “gold standard” in coronary treatment. I think they underestimate themselves. I have a sister-in-law in Essex who waited three weeks for the same treatment.
At a time when the focus seems to be on more financial cuts across all services, governments would do well to roll out this high level of care where urgently required
Mike Nelson.MacMerry,Barry Road,Barry.
A balance of choices
Sir,-I was not proposing to vote at the General Election on May 6 as we now mostly have candidates who are only standing in order to further their own self interest.
However, I heard a quote on the radio that may make me change my mind. It went: “If we don’t vote for the best of the worst, we will only get the worst of the worst.” Sad but true.
Iain McLaren.1 Clinkerheel Drive.Birkhill.Dundee.