Sir, What are the real lessons of the debacle that led to Sir Malcolm Rifkind’s downfall?
As Jennifer Dempsie points out (February 26) he did not help himself with some arrogant comments about his need to earn more income than he gets as an MP, but his comments about the amount of free time at his disposal deserve to be looked at more closely.
Just how extensive are the constituency workloads of our elected representatives?
How do they spend their time during the long recesses (which can be up to 13 weeks each year).
What do they do whilst waiting to vote in the House of Commons division lobbies?
How many have the power to make decisions rather than simply acting as a filter for the problems that are brought to them.
Ms Dempsie seems to need no convincing that it is a full-time job.
Perhaps it ought to be but the reality of what they actually do suggests something different.
Michael Cockerell’s recent BBC documentary, Inside the House of Commons, did show the dedication of some diligent backbenchers. I would like to think that their workrate was common throughout parliament.
The lesson from the Rifkind affair, for many, is that being an MP is simply a sideline. That will only change through radical reform of the way parliament works.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
Reason for the SNP’s silence?
Sir, The Jack Straw, Malcolm Rifkind fiasco opened up several debates including the age-old one of elected representatives holding second, or several, jobs.
Now l realise why the SNP have kept below the parapet on this one, where normally we would have seen them screaming about the nasty misgivings of the Westminster elite.
The reason for the political silence could well be that a certain A. Salmond is running for the Westminster seat of Gordon whilst he already has a job in Holyrood, or to be more precise a second job.
The former first minister may have the ability to perform in the debating chamber but clever as he may be, he cannot be in two chambers 400 miles apart at the same time on the same day.
Unfortunately for UK tax- payers, he will be able to claim two pay packets.
The actions of messers Straw and Rifkind appear rather unsavoury, but were not an attempt to double-dip from the taxpayers’ purse.
Colin Cookson. Stenton, Glenrothes.
Unionists living in the past
Sir, I note the groundswell in some quarters to form (again) a unionist alliance, in particular, to thwart Alex Salmond in Gordon.
What is it about unionists and running the referendum again? Talk about living in the past!
However, bearing in mind that the YES vote achieved 45% across Scotland I, for one, would welcome 45% of MPs after the general election being independence-minded (more would be nice).
That would be an increase of some 400% on present numbers and a very handy base to begin the next chapter of Scotland’s journey.
Looking to the future unlike our unionist friends.
Henry Malcolm. 331 Clepington Road, Dundee.
Badge charge is reasonable
Sir, Re the recent Fife Council proposal to charge £20 for a blue badge, I think this is reasonable and well worth it for the convenience the badge affords.
I would imagine the vast majority of people who qualify for a blue badge also qualify for either attendance allowance, disability living allowance or the new PIP.
As this benefit is paid to help with extra expenses a disabled person might have I don’t think £20 to cover a blue badge for three years is unreasonable.
Before I am accused of being either wealthy or not aware of the needs of disabled people, or both, I am a retired pensioner on a very limited income who has been disabled since childhood having had polio as a baby.
Savings have to be made everywhere these days and I don’t think many people are escaping the consequences.
M Gibb. 5 The Barns, Burntisland.
Postcode debt is also unfair
Sir, I find it interesting to note Alan Bell’s comments re poll tax debt (February 26).
I also believe people should pay their debts and yet I also accept that there are reasons why this is not always the case.
It is interesting to remind readers that all poll tax debt in England was wiped in 1999 yet it took until 2015 to clear these debts in Scotland.
Why pursue debt in one part of a united country and not in other areas?
Surely debt as the result of postcode is also unfair.
Mary Baxter. Strathord Cottage, Tullybelton, Perthshire.