Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Am I alone in feeling saddened by the Madras College site saga?
The school has a fine history of academic achievement, and many former pupils and members of staff hold fond memories of their days in the old buildings.
Of course, the surroundings were not the best but the efforts of all involved led to a sound education for those who wanted it. I am sure it is the same today.
I sense, however, that there is now a change in emphasis from education of pupils to a drive for a super-school. What sort of message does this send to our young people?
Demand the best at any cost and disregard the views of elected representatives? Fight till you get your own way and blame others if your desire cannot be met?
I did not vote for any of our local councillors and I often do not share their views, but I respect them as individuals and fully acknowledge they are doing their best to arrive at a sensible, affordable solution to the Madras problem.
They have shown in the past that they are very capable of making a full assessment of submissions by council officials, and have on several occasions taken decisions against officials’ advice because of their knowledge of the views of the electorate.
They should be allowed to do the job for which they were elected.
As for the site of the new Madras College, I disagree with the decision, but only because I believe there should be a school at Newport or Tayport, and consequently a smaller Madras College.
I do not, however, have all the facts, and I am not an elected councillor, so the time has come for me, and perhaps others in opposition, to acknowledge the best solution is to refurbish, modernise and extend Kilrymont.
The building itself is architecturally fascinating and is well capable of being transformed into a first class place of learning for future pupils of Madras College.
Let there now be peace among the factions so the young people of the future may benefit.
Stuart Miller.3 Drumcarrow Crescent,Strathkinness.
Scots would be welcomed back
Sir, – It is claimed that were Scotland to become independent, and so no longer a member of the EU, that certain countries might veto our re-admission.
Odd, then, that these countries did not veto the admission of Slovenia, ex-Yugoslavia or the Czech Republic and Slovakia, ex-Czechoslovakia.
Furthermore it has been claimed in this scenario France would likely oppose Scotland’s admission, even though France was one of the first to recognise the independence of Kosovo.
Uniquely, these threatening claims only seem to apply to Scotland and not, for example, to Flanders or Wallonia of Belgium.
There is no precedent for a part of the EU leaving involuntarily. Even if Scotland were obliged to leave, it has been argued we would re-join quickly due to already being fully EU-compliant.
Thomas Murray.127 Cairns Crescent,Perth.
Another day, another scare
Sir, – I wonder what scare story Michael Moore will come up with next?
First of all, none of the power firms would invest in an independent Scotland. Of course not, they would ignore one of the richest sites for wind and hydro power.
Now it seems we would lose all our MoD contracts. This is likely but not through our state of independence, more likely because of the coalition government’s determination to rid the whole of the UK of its armed forces.
I would imagine that the next fairy story will be if Scotland stands on her own no-one will want whisky.
B. Duthie.25 St Fillans Rd,Dundee.
Tuition fees case lacking in logic
Sir, – The letter from Joe FitzPatrick MSP was confused.
He began by stating the EU legislation that requires Scotland does not levy tuition fees on EU students was no longer tenable. He then finished by saying: “I trust we can agree that the onus is now firmly on others to follow our example and eliminate fees in their jurisdictions, which are a barrier to access and to social mobility.”
If the SNP believe that the EU legislation is no longer tenable (which must mean he wishes to see the “no fees to EU nationals” requirement abolished), how can he then say fees are unfair and a barrier to access and social mobility?
What Mr FitzPatrick and the SNP fail to mention is should Scotland vote for independence, then English, Welsh and Northern Ireland students will be covered by the same EU legislation and be able to access Scottish universities free of charge.
Perhaps the SNP could tell us how much would be lost to Scottish universities.
Allan Petrie.109 Blacklock Crescent, 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.