Sir, I wish to respond to points raised by Andrew Gilmour in his letter, Will last to leave please turn out the lights (August 18).
1 The President of the Commission did not say Scotland would have to join the queue for membership. When the No campaign and unionist press suggested he had, Mr Juncker specifically stated that he was not referring to Scotland.
2 Scotland is not well funded by the EU as part of the UK. Scotland currently receives the lowest Single Farm Payment in the EU, negotiated down by our representative from Westminster.
3 Mr Gilmour predicts that an independent Scotland would struggle to export due to currency uncertainty. Apart from the fact that we can use the pound, with or without Westminster approval, how exactly will currency uncertainty hamper exports?
4 The EU (again). Mr Gilmour feels our biggest threat is being outwith the EU. According to the Financial Times, US banks are now investigating moving their European headquarters out of London following a UK exit from the EU after David Cameron’s in/out referendum. It seems the money men are not confident that staying in the UK will keep us in the EU.
5 The Scottish Government has stated that farm payments will continue even if we are considered to be outwith the EU. This is in contrast to the UK Government which has repeatedly declined to make this commitment (see point 4).
As a farmer, I am much more comfortable with the Scottish Government’s position. The four farmers’ union ex-presidents who have given support to Yes are all successful businessmen and have not come to this decision lightly.
Mr Gilmour’s letter smacks of defeatism. Does he really think it is only worth being in Scotland because London is calling the shots? It is time for a more positive attitude. Farming will thrive in an independent Scotland.
Magnus Bell. Easter Fordel Farm, Glenfarg.
Inaccurate comment
Sir, The Yes campaign says that the health service in Scotland would suffer if there is a “no” vote. Could they explain how they come to this conclusion when Holyrood already has full control over NHS Scotland?
Bob Doris, SNP MSP, said on May 25: “Scotland’s NHS is already the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.”
Dishonest and inaccurate comments like this should not be used to rouse support. We need an apology.
Garry Barnett. Campsie Hill, Guildtown, Perth.
Buying “a pig in a poke”
Sir, With the referendum just four weeks away there are still many uncertainties hovering around with no answers forthcoming.
We all know by now Mr Salmond’s reluctance to disclose a currency Plan B but to my mind one of the major questions still unanswered is what is going to be the cost of setting up and maintaining an independent Scotland?
We were promised that this information would be made available after the publication of the White Paper, but this information has still not been put forward. What it all boils down to is that Mr Salmond is expecting us to buy “a pig in a poke”.
John M Page. 8 Panter Crescent, Montrose.
Seize this opportunity
Sir, The positive signals from Scottish Government and Fife Council regarding reinstating the mothballed Leven rail link (Thursday’s Courier) are encouraging but it is vital that this opportunity is now urgently seized.
The passenger case is actually much stronger than the article presents according to latest KnowFife data, the Levenmouth area has a population of 37,824 and the adjoining Largo and East Neuk 14,013. Similarly, we would seriously question whether the high price tag mentioned (£100,000 consultancy) merely to update an exhaustive feasibility study conducted only in 2008 would actually be necessary.
Whatever the initial stake required, the council needs to move immediately and decisively to complete the study, since the benefits will far outweigh the costs.
Despite heavy competition from other transport projects, a compelling case for reinstating Thornton – Leven services can be made for 2017 when the completion of the current Edinburgh – Glasgow improvement programme will free rolling stock or, failing that, certainly for the next Network Rail control period starting April 2019.
It’s high time Levenmouth was reconnected to the nation, and the network.
Ken Maclagan. 2 Union Place, Leven.
Cost of Alex’s green fantasy
Sir, Alex Salmond’s green fantasy has seen 2,000 wind turbines erected in Scotland, with a rated output of 4.6 gigawatts.
Their actual output, however, is much less. In January 2014 it was an intermittent 1 gigawatt. Just 22% of our requirements.
So another 7,000 turbines are needed 9,000 in total but they still won’t produce enough electricity if the wind doesn’t blow.
Remember that these turbines would not exist without a subsidy from Scottish electricity consumers, presently running at £431 million a year.
The subsidy needed for 9,000 turbines would therefore be £2 billion a year. £400 per man woman and child, just for the privilege of having green electricity. What a gift the wind provides!
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.