The letters week starts by looking at support for small businesses, the new parliament and independence, and the true cost of wind power.
Businesses will hold new MSPs to account
Sir,-Now that we have a majority Government in the Scottish Parliament it is time to think about how this will affect all of us and how this will affect business.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) will continue to work hard to influence the Scottish Government and all parties in parliament to press the case of small businesses.
The hard work on the economy starts now. With a parliamentary majority and the stability that comes with it, the Government should be on a sound footing to grapple with the challenges we face.
Top of the list should be allowing small businesses to create the employment and economic growth the country so badly needs.
As with all of the main parties, the SNP were influenced by many aspects of the FSB’s Scottish election manifesto. We will be pushing to ensure our main points are not forgotten.
The Government’s commitments to issues affecting business is encouraging but it is up to all of us to keep the pressure on to ensure that the promises become a reality.
The FSB will be doing what we can to ensure this happens.
Gordon Henderson.The Federation of Small Businesses.
Scotland has bright future
Sir,-A. T. Geddie (May 10) might not be a fear-monger in respect of Scottish independence but he is certainly a very subtle doubt-monger.
How does he measure international influence? By the presence of Trident next to your major city or the capacity to send in cruise missiles and bombers to the Middle East?
I see there is no mention of Norway, Scotland’s nearest continental neighbour.
Norway is not a member of the EU, though it is a member of EFTA.
It has the highest quality of life on earth and is one of the most equal societies.
It is rich, influential and it is independent.
Why does he think that Scotland would do any worse than Norway?
Ron Greer.Armoury House,Blair Atholl.
Political priorities
Sir,-With reference to your correspondent Margaretha Linacre of Perth (May 11), I can assure her that Alex Salmond is no shrinking violet on the matter of giving the Scottish people a referendum on independence.
As other politicians have pointed out, there are more immediate matters to be attended to first in this five-year parliament.
That is why Alex Salmond has said he will hold the referendum in the second half of the parliament.
Remember it was the other parties in the last parliament at Holyrood who would not support a referendum and would have voted it down, refusing the Scottish people their constitutional right to decide.
Bradley Borland.Kinfauns,Perth.
MSP showed childish streak
Sir,-It was wonderful to see the diversity of the new Scottish Parliament as MSPs gathered to take the oath.
However, while Alex Salmond’s preamble to the oath was dignified and appropriate, it was very disappointing to see Maureen Watt cross her fingers as she took the oath.
Such behaviour is childish, an insult to parliament and the voters are entitled to expect better of their elected representatives.
William McLaren.23 Shamrock Street,Dundee.
Blueprint for independence
Sir,-Recently this column has featured arguments for and against Scotland becoming independent.
Some have pointed out Ireland’s defence capability. It is limited but Ireland is not totally defenceless.
An independent Scotland would have armed forces that compare with Norway.
This would mean advanced fighter aircraft, frigate-destroyer class warships and submarines.
Another argument is that having such a defence in an independent Scotland would be expensive.
However, other countries of similar size for example, Denmark that choose to have a greater defence capability, manage to do so.
An independent Scotland would be entitled to its share of UK military equipment. Russia and Ukraine managed to agree to a division of the military equipment that had belonged to the Soviet Union.
Thomas Murray.127 Cairns Crescent,Perth.
Silence over wind failings
Sir,-A former chairman of Scottish Power, Sir Donald Miller, has warned ministers that the true cost of wind power will be four times higher than conventional sources.
UK energy bills have a four to five pence per unit (per kwh) levy to pay for politicians’ green dreams.
English energy users subsidise Scotland’s turbines by £300 million a year.
The turbine industry in Denmark has sacked 1650 workers. Denmark produces 19% of its electricity from wind but more than half is wasted or sold at rock-bottom prices.
One coal plant provides double the electricity of the UK’s 3000 wind turbines.
Subsidies dramatically increase energy bills, resulting in fuel poverty and winter deaths. CO2 levels in the UK and Europe have not been reduced.
Politicians must be aware of these and other facts.
Could it be that our politicians do not speak out since they wish to remain on the gravy train even when the lights go out?
Clark Cross.138 Springfield Road,Linlithgow.
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.