Our letter writers tackle topics as diverse as the remarkable form of Dundee FC, parliamentary reform, the religious aspects of atheism, British foreign policy, and potholes.
Dark Blues’ tale starts to sound like a best-seller Sir,-During many years as a football writer I thought I’d seen it all small clubs beating big clubs in cup-ties, “also-rans” winning league titles, countries with little football history beating giants of the game.
But nothing compares with what Dundee FC is achieving right now.
Ripped apart by financial disaster and deprived of 25 points as additional punishment; a manager, his assistant and a host of players were released; their best player sold and a player with no previous managerial experience put in charge.
In addition they have, in the last two games, brought in an almost-retired ex-player who was settling into life as a TV summariser and a junior with no senior experience to shore up their ranks as they can’t sign anyone.
And what have they done together? Just gone on an unbeaten league run of 16 games, twice beaten league-leaders Raith Rovers in 10 days, even now are on 23 points (nine more than bottom club Stirling Albion) which would have been 48 and six points clear at the top of the First Division with the inclusion of the docked 25 points.
I don’t know if manager Barry Smith is on his way to becoming the best of his kind there has ever been but he is certainly off on the right foot and must be a candidate for manager of the year.
The whole situation is something no publisher would have accepted as a novel ‘too far-fetched’, the rejection slip would have said.
But it is all fact, all happening and I can only hope their defiance has its reward in increasing attendances and the achievement they wish at the end of the season and, as a neutral, I am not alone in that.
Ian Wheeler.Springfield, Fife.
Quality control for Parliament
Sir,-Having been largely confined to the house during this last winter I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time watching politics-related programmes. This had led me to think that our Parliament is crying out for greater reform than is proposed by any party.
For a start, there are far too many MPs. The seating capacity of the chamber of the Commons is, I believe, 437, and that should be the number of MPs and constituencies adjusted accordingly.
To ensure the standard of MP is kept high, the remuneration should be high enough to attract candidates who could achieve higher rewards in industry, and so on. All expenses claimed should be backed up by receipts but should be sufficient for MPs to run an effective office in the House and the constituency.
Perhaps more controversially, I think no person should be permitted to be a candidate until they have reached the age of 35 and had some experience of life outside politics. The voting age should not be reduced to 16 as some would like but restored to 21.
With regard to the House of Lords, abolition is long overdue. It should be replaced by a senate of 100 elected for an eight-year term with election for 50 of them after four years to maintain continuity. They should receive expenses just as proposed for MPs. Senators should be limited to two terms, i.e. 16 years.
I should be interested to read the views of your readers should you decide to publish my letter. I think I can guess the views of our current politicians and ‘nobility.’
John A. Dorward.89 Brechin Road,Arbroath.
Sounds a bit like religion
Sir,-I am not totally convinced by either side of the debate as to whether atheism is a “religion” or not, but I have noticed that the atheists seem to be exhibiting some behaviour which is considered normal for religious folk.
The atheists seem to be vigorously defending their beliefs, and trying to convert others to their point of view. Perhaps those who say atheism is a religion have a point.
(Captain) Ian F. McRae,17 Broomwell Gardens,Monikie.
Flirting with democracy
Sir,-As the Libyan state disintegrates against the backdrop of north Africa’s push for greater freedom and a share of its great national wealth, the West is faced with a choice. Wait to see what emerges from the rubble or plunge in, hoping to save whatever remains of our strategic interests.
I suspect our leaders are scrambling for the latter and will readily prop up regimes that only flirt with democracy. Such behaviour only forces people into the arms of fundamentalists.
Westminster cannot now howl with outrage at Gaddafi’s treatment of his citizens how he ran his country was no secret, nor was the fact he swapped oil profits for rubber bullets and mansions in London.
The only thing that has changed since Blair was holidaying with Mubarak and shaking hands with Gaddafi is that their citizens have risked their lives to fight for their freedom something Britain cannot take credit for and which politicians like Blair helped jeopardise.
Who’s betting that we correct that?
Alistair Wilson.Perth Road,Dundee.
Get repairs right first time
Sir,-The road near us has been temporarily repaired twice since the New Year. It is inevitable it will need doing again soon as each time they don’t make a full repair and within a couple of days it is breaking up again.
Surely it would make more sense to do the job properly in the first place.
Mrs. S Watt.Auchterarder, Perthshire.
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.