Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Two consequences arise from the clarification by EU officials that Scotland would not retain automatic membership of the EU if it were to become independent.
Firstly, a vote for independence in Scotland would mean we leave both the UK and the EU effectively two referendums for the price of one.
Although I am generally pro-European, I would certainly be wanting a further referendum to determine whether we should re-join again or not, because our terms of membership will almost certainly be very different at that point than they are today.
I would not like to pre-judge the outcome of such a referendum and there could be no certainty that Scots would want to sign up.
Secondly, if the Scottish Government continue to assert a different opinion, or continue to withhold any legal opinion they have been given, then both their credibility and integrity will be questioned and that can only end in defeat for them.
Scotland being isolated outwith the UK and also the EU would be a dangerous and uncertain place to be.
There is no way that our current ministers could negotiate on two fronts at the same time without being unpicked by the wider and bigger agendas at play.
We are indeed better together, and better not going there in the first place.
Victor Clements.Mamie’s Cottage,Aberfeldy.
It’s not just all about the money
Sir, – My fellow Fife councillor Dave Dempsey’s defence of Jenny Hjul’s Brit-Nat gusto made me chuckle with incredulity (September 5).
He argues for both globalism and localism, but nationalism only when it is of the British variety.
I am pretty sure the frontline staff of the fire and police services in Scotland are relieved they are not in the mess their colleagues in England find themselves.
Their disdain and disgust was overtly displayed in May of this year as the Home Secretary attempted to soft soap them after massive Tory cuts.
If, as Cllr Dempsey states, independence won’t ”ultimately make a huge difference” why is he so vociferously against it?
It’s not just about the money, it’s because it will make a huge and positive difference for the people of Scotland in ways upon which, you cannot place a price.
Cllr Neale Hanvey.Dunfermline Central and Crossford.
The same old climate myths
Sir, – This week we learned that the volume of Arctic Ocean ice has declined by around 70% over the past 30 years and that the Arctic will probably be ice-free in summer by the end of the decade.
So, it was depressing to see some old climate myths trotted out again in Clark Cross’s letter on the subject of greenhouse gas emissions (September 7).
Volcanoes do not spew out more carbon dioxide than mankind nowhere near it. Our total global emissions are now about 100 times greater than those of volcanoes.
There are, obviously, natural sources of CO2 but until about 200 years ago these were in balance with natural ‘sinks’. This is not the case any more, which is why the level of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by about 25% over the last 50 years and is still rising.
Mr Cross also refers to there being palm trees in the Antarctic 50 million years ago.
The Antarctic may well have had a very pleasant climate back then. However, as there were no humans around at that time, it is hard to see how this is relevant.
Instead, we should remember that all of recorded history, in particular the development of agriculture and industrial civilisation, has taken place under the relatively stable climate regime that has prevailed since the end of the Ice Age.
Given this, it makes more sense to be wary of the ”angry beast”, as one scientist has described the climate system, than to poke it with a sharp stick.
Dr Craig Cassells.13 Upper Constitution Street,Dundee.
A marvellous evening out
Sir, – My partner and I went to see a play by the Drama Group in the hall at Auchtermuchty recently. It was a presentation of Calendar Girls and it turned out to be a marvellous evening of entertainment.
The singing was good, the laugh lines excellent and the acting was as good as a professional show.
The whole cast and crew should feel very proud of what they accomplished.
T. Wilson.13 Sutherland Drive,Kinross.
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