The new week opens with letters discussing the situation at Abertay University, Fife care homes, our defence capability, Scots and independence, and lingering problems with the postal service.
Lecturers seek guarantees on governance
Sir,-With reference to your reports about the suspension of University of Abertay principal Professor Bernard King (February 2 and 3) it is incorrect to say that the union support the university court in suspending the principal because, as yet, no university court decision has been made in relation to his suspension.
This is in fact an action associated with the chair of court, which will be debated by university court in due course. We cannot support, or otherwise, a court decision that is yet to be made.
Moreover, as union president, I would also like to clarify that as a staff group we are prepared to work closely with the current interim management team, which the acting principal has selected, filling the reported “power vacuum,” to help meet the day-to-day responsibilities we have as a university.
However, full support for management now and into the future is conditional on a number of guarantees being received; guarantees relating to the governance of the institution.
A motion to that effect was passed unanimously at a well-attended and positive branch meeting on February 2.
(Dr) Andrew Samuel.President,Abertay Dundee University and College Union,University of Abertay Dundee.
Public ignored over care homes
Sir,-What exactly was the point of Fife Council’s consultation on older people’s care homes?
Did they want the public opinion so they could ride roughshod over the top of it?
I can only surmise that the decision to privatise care of the elderly was made some time ago and Fife Council is now determined to force this through at any cost.
To make such a radical move on the strength of one vote and against the tide of public opinion is ludicrous.
The public understands that cuts have to be made but I find it very disturbing the manner in which this decision has been taken.
Councillor Tim Brett offers platitudes like, “the dawn of a new era,” while plunging hundreds of service users, families and staff into anxiety and uncertainty.
Anne Cunningham.326 Colliston Avenue,Glenrothes.
Reverse this decision
Sir,-I am totally behind Alex Rowley, leader of the Labour group on Fife Council, who believes that councillors who voted to privatise the region’s care homes had made up their minds in advance and ignored the findings of the public consultation exercise.
It seems these councillors have no interest in public opinion as expressed during consultation.
Perhaps some of the care homes do need modernised but the residents are well cared for and they live very happily. Happiness is surely more important that the promised mod cons.
I hope this stupid decision, taken by very few Fife councillors, can be reversed.
Michael Mair.24 St Michaels Drive,Cupar.
Exporting our security
Sir,-This Coalition Government’s excuses for cancelling the Nimrod MRA4, advanced by Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox among others, have all the believability of the notes I used to write for myself to get off some classes at school.
The last government withdrew the Nimrod MR2 from service because it had reached the end of its operational life. This created a dangerous gap in our defence capability that was to be filled by the replacement Nimrod MRA4.
Cancelling the MRA4 still leaves that gap and all for the sake of saving £2 billion over the next 10 years.
This year alone we will spend £9.1 billion on foreign aid, some of which goes to India, thereby helping them to fund their space programme.
The word ‘unbelievable’ is inadequate to describe this lunacy.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.
Will Government back Scots vote?
Sir,-Congratulations to the people of oil-rich Southern Sudan, over 99% of whom have voted to secede from the north.
Southern Sudan will be the world’s newest nation and the new country is set to formally declare its independence on July 9.
Speaking on behalf of the UK Government, Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his delight that the Sudanese Government had respected the choice of the people.
In addition to this, an information campaign was recently launched in Wales in advance of that country’s referendum on March 3 for greater powers for its assembly.
It is indeed more than a little ironic that while the people of Wales are to have a referendum on greater powers for that nation and the ability of the people of South Sudan to vote for independence is applauded by the UK Government, the Scottish people are to be denied this same choice by the unionist parties.
Alex Orr.Flat Two,77 Leamington Terrace,Edinburgh.
Still little post haste
Sir,-I finished reading the February issue of a magazine, only to receive from the postman my January issue. And they say the post is back on track?
That is hard to believe and I only live less than a mile from the sorting office.
Alex Thomson.17 Traquair Gardens,Dundee.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.