Sir, It is concerning that a representative of Perthshire Lib Dems laughed at my recent letter. Deciding to implement the loathsome bedroom tax, benefit sanctions and cuts to disability benefits is no laughing matter, in my opinion. Perhaps, instead of laughing over these appalling decisions made while in government, he could explain why the Lib Dems supported their implementation in the first place.
I do, however, agree with Mr Clements, insofar as there is no doubting the contribution of Sir Menzies Campbell. He was assiduous in his work to defeat the Tories in North-East Fife. It is deeply regretful that his party allies decided to share a bed with the Tories, both in the UK Government and in Better Together, and show no signs of wanting to break that alliance.
Mr Clements has, however, provided some very inaccurate information and I would like to clarify the record. I am not sure from where he has plucked £5 million as the total investment on the Scottish Government into broadband, as they have provided £7.5 million to Community Broadband Scotland, alone. This scheme is simply to provide advice, guidance and toolkits for rural communities to gain access to better broadband services and is not included in the £410 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Programme, which the Scottish Government is helping to lead.
I do find myself agreeing with Mr Clements again, when he says the Lib Dems are within their rights to explain how they will improve local services. Perhaps, at the same time, they can explain why they have spent decades just talking about this and why they should be believed now after all their broken promises in the UK Coalition Government. Their party has failed this area and Scotland. They should not be allowed to repeat their mistakes, yet again.
Michael F Troon. Crawford Avenue, Gauldry, Fife.
Financial ticking time bomb
Sir, I believe the First Minister and her Government are sitting on a financial time bomb, created by the separation of Scotland’s financial structure from that of the United Kingdom’s.
It is contrary to the established policy in Scotland of building larger bodies, such as the police service and the fire and rescue service, where the intention is to gain the advantage created by volume.
The problem will become apparent when the promise that state pensions will be guaranteed in Scotland by Westminster and Holyrood governments comes to fruition.
In Scotland, the ratio of people who receive pensions, unemployment benefits, free education, free health care, free child care, free transport and other sundry freebies exceeds the ratio of people who provide the funds required to meet these costs. It should be remembered that there is no established fund to provide pensions, it is a pay-as-you go system.
Under devolved powers, the Scottish Government will pocket the income from Scottish taxpayers, as well as their national insurance contributions. In 2013, national insurance contributions in Scotland amounted to £ 8.1 billion, while the cost of pensions and healthcare for the same period amounted to £17.4 billion.
I do not believe tax and insurance payers in the rest of the United Kingdom will accept this situation for any length of time.
A A Bullions. Glencairn Crescent, Leven.
Crossings not safe for blind
Sir, My friend Joe is blind. He was discussing the fact that a new crossing near him had the textured slabs at one side of the road but the kerb was actually raised at the other. This obviously would create problems for visually-impaired people trying to use this crossing.
His neighbour spotted a council worker and put Joe’s point to him. “Your friend is wrong,” said the worker. “Red slabs indicate safe crossings and are light controlled. These slabs are beige and merely indicate a crossing place.”
Has it ever occurred to anyone in planning in Fife Council that visually-impaired people cannot actually see the difference in colours and merely go by what is under foot.
In addition, it would appear that the bleeping to indicate it is safe to cross at light-controlled crossings have/are being switched off. Apparently, this is due to noise pollution! Newer crossings don’t even have lights opposite and you have to watch the button you have just pressed.
Just how are blind people supposed to cross the road safely nowadays? Could Fife Council be guilty of discrimination against visually-impaired people?
George Connolly. Poplar Road, Clayton Caravan Park, St Andrews.
Drink-drivers an easy target
Sir, I see our new justice secretary has got his Kenny MacAskill goggles on.
He boldly states that one in 10 road accidents are alcohol related, then proceeds to say we are going to tackle these drivers with all our resources.
Should they not be tackling the other 90%, or nine in 10, who kill more people than so-called drunks do? I in no way condone drink-driving but demonising people who are slightly over the limit is, once again, picking on an easy target.
Target all idiots on the roads, drunk or sober, instead of this once-a-year blitz.
Bob Duncan. Caesar Avenue, Carnoustie.