Sir, Deary me, that silly wee oil company BP seems to have stumbled across a major new oil field in the North Sea.
Apparently it was just lying there doing nothing when they just happened across it.
There was us Scots being told that the oil was drying up and that what little we had wasn’t enough to see us beyond next Christmas.
Who would have thought it, eh?
BP didn’t have a clue it was there before the referendum, but now they know it’s a major find.
You know, a cynic might believe they held back the news at the bidding of the Westminster bedfellows, just so as not to confuse us gullible Scots.
It’s such a worry to have all that oil sloshing about and the billions of pounds in tax it will no doubt create. It would be so much better not to have any oil, according to the Westminster suits.
Because then we wouldn’t get our hopes up.
Harry Key. 20 Mid Street, Largoward.
A “cease fire”is needed
Sir, I refer to Alan Woodcock’s letter (21/10) questioning my logic. This was based on the rules of the syllogism two premises and a conclusion.
Put simply, these were: Most people do not want independence. Independence is the raison d’etre of the SNP. Therefore most people do not want the SNP.
Seems logical to me!
I fully accept that, because of the electoral system, it is possible that the SNP may continue to govern for a long time.
However, I would not compare 2011 with 2016 because the turnout is likely to be much higher now that people’s political interest has been aroused.
As for extra powers. Why should I want to pay a higher (or lower) rate of tax than family members down south?
In any case, I don’t trust one set of MPs to use powers more wisely than another.
Even Nicola Sturgeon said, several times, that indepen-dence was no magic wand.
Finally, Mr Woodcock is perfectly entitled to continue to work for independence but is there any chance of a “cease fire” at least until after Christ-mas? Independence leaflets were being handed out in the street last week.
Is there no peace?
S Urquhart. 2 Lily Wynd, Forfar.
Yet again failure is rewarded
Sir, It is of little surprise to me that Tesco overstated its profits by £263m. It is an absolute disgrace with eight members of staff suspended and the chief executive Philip Clarke resigning. He will leave with a multi-million pound payoff. Yet again we see big businesses rewarding failure and incompetence just like the banks.
It is good that the FCA is investigating but can we expect transparency over what has happened? And someone taking ownership instead of passing the blame?
For far too long Tesco have dominated the grocery market with an attitude and ethos of profit only, where customer service is neglected and they are now paying the price with falling sales.
Customers are now much more concerned with experience than just price and Tesco failed to pick up on this.
As an ex-shopper myself I found my local store like a cold warehouse with zero atmosphere, surly staff, and an inadequate number of checkouts open.
Tesco’s motto is: “Every little helps.” Does that include honesty, accountability and customers first?
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Wasting money on Gaelic
Sir, As I understand it, Gaelic was never the language of lowland Scotland. Was it not Braid Scots?
And with increasing pressure on schools to equip pupils with a broad range of subjects compatible with the needs of higher education, employers and modern life; is there time in the curriculum for Gaelic teaching at the expense of more useful subjects?
Therefore, with local council funding being cut dramatically, why is Dundee City Council considering wasting money on Gaelic teaching, bilingual council forms and changing signage across the city?
Colin Topping. Glenrothes.
Why is it always objections first?
Sir, It is always frustrating and an inconvenience when a community loses a public service and Kirriemuir is now experiencing such a situation with the proposed relocation of our post office.
However, I am mystified by the reaction of a number of the residents as they appear to be more concerned with petty objections rather than offering support and encouragement.
There can be only one question, whether the community want a post office in the town or not and if the answer is yes then the transfer should go ahead as soon as possible.
The lack of applicants to take on the postal service proves to me that it is not a viable investment unless related to another business and if a small business entrepreneur is prepared to take up the service then it behoves the residents to support and encourage them.
Have we lost the ability to recognise when people are trying to help and provide a service; must we always begin with objections?
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.