Sir, Until Thursday I enjoyed September . . . usually a month of reasonable weather with the added pluses that my birthday is on the 5th and wedding anniversary on the 14th.
Then came the news that September 18 next year has been chosen as voting day on Scottish independence, which led me right away to think: “Another 18 months of listening to politicians telling lies about both sides of the argument or, if they don’t go that far, twisting the facts so that they appear to support their message.”
We have already had a taste of it, with most people bored to tears at the dull monotony of polito-gabble.
The really frightening thought is that, while the whole issue has already been a sickening example of vested interests, we haven’t really got into the meat of it.
Imagine the crashing boredom of listening to the arguments presented by no- one discernible as even the shadow of an orator again and again and again over a whole 18 months!
What does not seem to have been even vaguely appreciated by the “contestants” is that most people have already made up their minds as to how they will vote and could have voted, if not already, much sooner than September, 2014.
All the shouting and bawling in the world from now on will only serve to firm up opinions, not change them.
I know I’m going to be accused of lack of interest, of being biased on the issue.
Wrong. I am just an ordinary citizen dreading what the next 18 months will hold on one single issue.
Ian Wheeler. Springfield, Fife.
Must invest in young people
Sir, I welcome this week’s news that youth unemployment in Scotland is falling and that the fall to 17% (down 7.7% in the past year) means that the number of jobless young Scots is at its lowest level in 20 years.
This is good news for the economy, but even better for young people in general. Far too often we hear negative stories about our youth, but in my 40 years of working with The Boys’ Brigade, I can honestly say that our young people in Scotland have a lot to give. What most are looking for is hope. Seeing a fall in unemployment goes some way to bringing that hope to them.
Young people have dreams and aspirations and we should support them every step of the way. In the BB we try to pass on relevant life skills, whether it be leadership, communication or team work. These skills are vital for job interviews, the workplace and society in general.
Investing in our young people is important not just financially, but investing our time and efforts to ensure they have the skills and confidence to make the best start in life. If we do that, it will make for a better Scotland not just for the young, but for all of us.
Bill Stevenson. Director, Scotland, The Boys’ Brigade, Scottish HQ.
Secretive in what way?
Sir, Bob Taylor’s states in his letter (March 21) that “the new pontiff was elected by an obscure and secretive process”. In what respect?
We knew beforehand how the voting process worked, and what its purpose was. We also knew when and where the vote took place, who was eligible to vote, and who was eligible to be elected.
The TV cameras were rolling as the cardinals arrived for the conclave and the footage was shown on the BBC news the same day. In addition, the outcome of the vote was made public within an hour.
The only thing we don’t know is how each individual voted, which is standard practice in elections, including general elections in Scotland and the UK.
Thomas Steuart. Fothringham. Murthly Estate, Perth.
New pension ruling unfair
Sir, It would appear that anyone retiring after 2016 will be entitled to the new state base pension of £144 a week with an obligation to pay only 30 years of national insurance stamps. Those pensioners who retired before 2010 had to contribute around 40 years of national insurance for what will now be a lesser pension for a lot of people who have no entitlement to any additions.
This cannot be fair on any level there must be some way to avoid creating even more social separation among pensioners by helping those who are reliant upon only the basic state pension.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
A sensible move
Sir, The Department of Education is sensibly in the process of moderating the teaching of climate change to children under 14.
Predictably the climate change obsessives and their political adherents are jumping up and down with rage that their sacred cow is being moved into the more mature pastures of post-14-year-old students who are able to understand the meaning and physics of climate.
It is significant that the Royal Geographical Society and the Geographical Association which represents more than 6000 geography teachers have broadly welcomed the move.
The essence of science lies in scepticism and the continuing examination of changeful evidence, faculties not available to immature intelligences.
Alastair Harper. House of Gask, Lathalmond, by Dunfermline.