Sir After the report (August 4 ), informing us that more than two and a half thousand officers and staff have asked for retiral or redundancy from Police Scotland, how will the SNP government be able to continue claiming to have increased the force’s strength by 1000 officers? With 769 already gone?
There is already an obvious dearth of patrolling officers in our communities. To be fair, this was the case before amalgamation. It is of little comfort to “flood” an area with constables after a serious crime has been discovered. The public would prefer the deterrence effect of a police presence before criminals decide to act.
We need honesty. The public can see clearly that crime levels are, in my opinion, rocketing upwards, not helped by the rash of current “historic” investigations. We need governments, our law makers, to make proper laws, loophole free, supported by serious sentencing and enforcement capabilities with an appropriately manned and equipped police force. All supported by a capable prison system which permits deserved sentencing.
We do not need time wasted on producing “crime statistics”.
For the Commonwealth Games, rather than leave our own streets deprived of officers, did Police Scotland ask for assistance from any neighbouring English or Irish forces? Or even the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man or other Commonwealth countries? Scottish Police have assisted other constabularies from time to time when the need arose.
The sheer cost of legal services is another bugbear which requires attention. But perhaps that is for another day.
A T Geddie. 68 Carleton Avenue, Glenrothes
Defence jobs on the line
Sir, Major defence employer Babcock has said that separation could cost defence jobs in Scotland with the biggest impact being felt by the Royal Navy base on the Clyde. The firm, which employs around 6,000 people in Scotland, told staff that: “It is unclear whether there would be a continuing role for Babcock should the submarine flotilla be moved and the nuclear infrastructure decommissioned.”
Babcock couldn’t be clearer independence will cost defence jobs.
Alex Salmond may be blind to the risks of independence, but the workers on the Clyde certainly aren’t. They know that a vote for separation is a vote for them to lose their jobs. It is the livelihood of thousands of workers in our defence industry that is on the ballot paper in September.
It looks like the SNP’s defence plans for independence were written on the back of an envelope. Babcock have said that the nationalist assertion that the Clyde could easily become a conventional naval base doesn’t add up. The SNP have had 80 years to plan for independence, yet they can’t even get the basics right.
It’s no wonder the majority of Scots are saying no thanks to separation.
Avril Simpson. Field Studio, Welton Corner, Forfar.
Interesting legacy . . .
Sir, Perhaps the most significant legacy of the Commonwealth Games is food for thought.
Of the 71 countries and territories present, only India, Pakistan, and of course the UK, arm with nuclear weaponry. Only the UK uses GB pounds and only the UK is in the European Union, (though for how much longer we don’t know).
All the rest, even the tiniest, and those with no oil at all, are independent and clearly show no inclination to revert to London rule. What makes Scotland’s case for independence so different, indeed unique?
Joseph G Miller. 44 Gardeners Street, Dunfermline.
A share of the blame is theirs
Sir, I really feel that the Better Together Campaign urgently need to step up their campaign in the run-up to the referendum.
I have always felt that they have not been as pro-active as the Yes campaign.
I have seen hardly any of their literature, yet I have had several leaflets from the ever pushy Yes campaign pushed through my letterbox recently they, of course went straight into recycling!
However, on Saturday in my home town, I was in the town centre and there was a group of the Yes campaigners however, the Better Together group was nowhere to be seen.
This is unacceptable. They are leaving the door wide open for the Yes campaign to exploit.
If, God forbid, the result is that we do get independence the Better Together campaign will be partly responsible for not being visible and proactive enough.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Dividing the nation
Sir, Much of the independence debate is about the difference between patriotism and nationalism.
Scots everywhere are wildly patriotic, not just at home but in the country’s wide diaspora living in England, North America, Australasia and elsewhere.
But any nationalism, an extreme form of patriotism, has to be stamped on.
Scotland has always punched above her weight. It is regrettable now that so many Scots are simply acting out of envy, resentment and anti-English/anti-Westminster, and even anti-British, feelings.
The results are that barriers are being built between peoples unnecessarily and whatever the cost. We only have to look at the examples set by Germany and Russia in the past 100 years. Precisely what we British abhor.
“Yes” voters are dividing not just the United Kingdom but Scotland herself.
Malcolm Innes. Kilspindie Manse, Errol, Perthshire.