Sir, I enjoyed the reasoned piece by WJ Harris of Carnoustie (letters, March 5), with regard to the forthcoming referendum on independence; but was equally disappointed by Jenny Hjul’s column in which she indulged her support of the Better Together people by having a go at Sean Connery.
She accused him of an opportunist act of biting the hand that fed him by crediting Pinewood studios for giving him his big break in the film industry. What she failed to mention was that the same fellow went on to become a top box office star in his own right with several highly successful films in Hollywood, which is as far away from Pinewood as you can get.
She also dished out snide comments at the fact that Ryan Air’s Michael O’Leary has welcomed the prospect of Scottish independence because of a current proposal by the SNP that there would be a cut in air passenger duty in the event of independence coming to pass. What she carefully omitted was a mention of the positive stance taken by the giant British Airways which also stated that Scotland becoming independent would not impact on their business intentions.
It is interesting that two financial experts have gone on record by saying that an independent Scotland could benefit greatly by walking away from its perceived share of the current UK national debt but the SNP have not indicated that it wishes to pursue that option and has always taken the view that there should be a negotiated share of assets and liabilities in the event of a “yes” vote.
In contrast, it is Westminster politicians who are trying to play hard ball and it is high time the “no” supporters and their letter-writing allies took a step back from scaremongering to urge their London representatives to formulate contingency plans to face the possibility of a “yes” vote.
Allan A MacDougall. 37 Forth Park, Bridge of Allan.
Westminster will ensure it doesn’t work
Sir, Apropos Gordon Brown’s Devo Extra speech. That won’t work.
He talks of 40% of taxes raised in Scotland being spent in Scotland which necessarily implies 60% would still be funded by Westminster block grant.
So, assuming the Scottish Government does a good job and raises more taxes through a growth in the economy or efficiency savings, increased employment, or whatever, the first thing the Westminster Government would do would be to reduce the block grant commensurately to keep our national income the same . . . or even less.
What sort of power is that? None at all, it seems to me, because power devolved is power retained and the purse strings are the power.
While it is true that some power would be ceded in financial matters if a currency union came into effect, sovereignty and the ability to change currency would always be up to the Scottish voters.
The currency union of the Euro between Germany and France does not mean either is less independent or ultimately sovereign. Similarly if we vote “yes” to the referendum proposal, we are really voting to recover full sovereignty for Scotland.
Ian Chisholm. 87 Lady Nairn Avenue, Kirkcaldy.
Victory will be even sweeter
Sir, If John G Richmond’s long, puerile rant against independence (March 8) is an indicator of the level of debate we can expect from Better Together, than heaven help us.
Sarcastic is one thing but dishonest is another. Mr Richmond knows that neither the SNP or the “Yes” campaign is saying that milk and honey will flow in an independent Scotland. It will take hard work and passion to transform our nation from being the top end of Broken Britain ( the so-called recovery/boom is an illusion) into the thriving, compassionate country we can be.
We now know that London will do everything in its power to be obstructive and vindictive. So be it. Victory will be all the sweeter.
David Roche. 1Alder Grove, Scone.
Uni figures are questionable
Sir, I must question Otto Inglis’ academic methods (Monday’s letters). From the figures he quotes, of the UK world-class universities in the world’s top 50, 14% were Scottish, a country with only 8% of the UK’s population (2011 census). Even by his crude approach to statistics, Scotland seems to be doing better than the rest of the UK.
If we deduct the Oxbridge institutions, which the rest of the world finds difficult to compete with, then Scotland’s share of the elite stands at 20%. Yet another reason why it would be mad to vote on questionable statistics in September.
David Martin. 41 Cowgate, Dundee.
Can they afford to vote “no”?
Sir, With reference to your correspondent, Otto Inglis, is he aware that at the time of union, Scotland had four universities and England two?
This numerical superiority has, strangely enough, been turned on its head by successive Westminster Governments. However, even after a “yes” vote, potential Scottish students would still be able to apply for admission to English establishments, providing they can afford the tuition fees.
Do students have deep enough pockets to vote “no”?
Joseph G Miller. 44 Gardeners Street, Dunfermline.
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Sir, I couldn’t agree more with Ed Oswald (Little used stations need a lift) on his summary of why the stations at Barry Links and Golf Street are little used.
It seems a self-fulfilling prophecy; reduce services stopping at these stations and therefore footfall to such an extent that Network Rail can justify closing them permanently.
And illustrating this deplorable situation is the insistence of Network Rail that up to 1,000 or so visitors per day to the Commonwealth Games shooting event at Barry (just a couple of hundred metres from Barry station) will have to stay on their trains until they reach Carnoustie when they will have to walk back several miles to reach the event.
And yet both Glasgow 2014, the organisers, and Angus Council, the hosts, have rolled over like obedient puppies and let this happen.
Madness.
Peter Burke. Collier Street, Carnoustie.
Bad press for gamekeepers
Sir, Re Dudley Treffry’s provocative article, Rural workers whose way of life always faces multiple challenges and prejudices (March 3).
The vast majority of today’s gamekeepers are law abiding and need to be for job qualifications. A minority give the profession a bad name. To draw on Victorian practices is out-dated. What took place 120 years ago is consigned to history.
He mentions poisoning of our noble bird of prey. Rarely has this been proven to be the work of a keeper. He omitted to mention the licensing by SNH over the last 15 years for the removal of golden eagle chicks, 75 in total from Scottish nests and translocated to Ireland.
Instances of planting dead raptors have also occurred, most notably the golden eagle found dead in the Angus glens. Upon examination the bird had not flown for years due to a broken wing.
Unfortunately gamekeepers do get a bad press, this is largely due to over-reaction before the evidence and facts are verified.
He underestimates the profession’s voting power. Each year hundreds of guests shoot on each estate, many are from urban locations, all have relations in defence of field sports. More than 300,000 rallied on the streets of London in September 2002.
Finally, I feel he should withdraw his baseless assertions that the gamekeeper is comparable to a drug trafficker. If he does I will invite him to spend time with today’s gamekeepers and acquaint him with the real world.
WR Handy. Invergigthty, Arbroath.
Consultation all very well, but . . .
Sir, I was astonished to read the article relating to the ongoing cleaning of Kirkcaldy High Street (February 26). I was not surprised at the need for cleaning nor at the ability of Neil Crooks to, yet again, publicise himself by appearing in the accompanying photograph.
What took me aback, and has also mystified others, is the information that phases one and two of the High Street improvement plan have been completed and have been a success.
These phases have passed me by. The High Street is becoming a post-apocalyptic barren wilderness. There is now a diminishing number of retail outlets and a corresponding increase in closed units. Charity shops, pawnbrokers, opticians and banks and building societies abound.
The council continues to charge for parking, meaning more and more consumers head for the retail park. Just where are these success stories?
The one thing I did glean from the article, is that our councillors have no idea what phase three should comprise of.
Yet again, the Kirkcaldy area committee, led by Neil Crooks, has one mantra and one only. “Consult” is the cry! Councillors are paid a minimum of £16,000 and yet they appear to have no ideas, no vision, no leadership and no way forward.
I have no issues with consultation but surely we can expect more from our “civic fathers”. Is it really beyond them to come up with some ideas of their own? Sadly, endless publicity photographs of councillors in “action” achieves nothing.
We need policy not publicity.
Alan Crombie. 6 Almond Way, Glenrothes.
Unintended consequence
Sir, Congratulations on your campaign against the payment of fixed penalty notices for off-road parking offences.
There are already tangible results, with many more able- bodied drivers parking in disabled spaces, because they know they won’t be prosecuted.
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Cellardyke.