Sir, I was disappointed that Alistair Darling’s visit to Dunfermline last week did not include speaking to members of the public.
I was more disappointed, however, that Dunfermline’s Kingsgate Shopping Centre chose to wade into the independence debate with a rather ill-informed declaration on its Facebook page that “a separate Scotland = higher taxes” a statement all my research on the issue has proved to be false.
Appalled by the use of the centre’s Facebook page to promote political propaganda, I went to speak to centre manager Neil Mackie about the issue. He informed me the higher taxes he was referring to large retail levy (branded supermarket tax or Tesco tax) and charges on vacant business premises – are in fact being brought in now, under devolution.
I argued that’s nothing to do with the independence debate but a political point against SNP policy, which could in fact be changed by another party being voted in either in the devolved parliament or an independent one.
I pointed out that corporation tax is reserved to Westminster despite calls from the Scottish Government for it to be devolved so it can be reduced; this has been refused so only independence can give Scotland the power to set more competitive corporation tax levels.
I also pointed out that while some SNP policies may be resisted by businesses, measures such as freezing council tax and making prescriptions free has given people more money to spend in shops.
I was glad to see following my own and several other people’s complaints about the statement it was removed from the centre’s page. I hope that my local shopping centre will focus on serving its customers rather than acting as a mouthpiece for failed UK chancellors in future.
Fay Sinclair. 16 Bannerman Street, Dunfermline.
Have the facts wrong again
Sir, Mr John Kilgour and the Kenly Landscape Protection Group have, regrettably, again got the facts wrong in their latest tirade against the University of St Andrews and our proposals for a community windfarm at Kenly.
Contrary to Mr Kilgour’s letter of January 14, the message on Facebook seeking to encourage support for the Kenly development did not come from the university. It came from the St Andrews Students’ Association, an entirely independent body which forms its own views and not infrequently publicly disagrees with the university on a range of matters.
The great beauty of this university community and the town of St Andrews is that it encourages vigorous debate and the holding of opposing views, but always in a spirit of tolerance and respect. Many staff and students here support the proposals for Kenly, but there are others who disagree and will have registered as objectors, and that is the way it should be in a democracy and particularly in an academic community which teaches critical thought.
It is a great pity that the KLPG seems incapable of showing the same tolerance and respect for all those who do not share its views. Of the 372 objections registered to Kenly, 84% are from a single template letter produced by KLPG. By contrast there are almost 200 letters of support. None are templates.
Niall Scott. Director of Communication, University of St Andrews.
Vandals should take heed
Sir, We on board Unicorn echo the sentiments of the MCA regarding vandalism of lifebuoys, they form a vital first line of assistance. It is disturbing how often they are damaged, removed or left with their lifelines tangled.
The one in the South East corner of Victoria Dock is out of the way and often interfered with, so anyone frequenting that part of the docks may wish to be aware we keep our own lifebuoy on board Unicorn. It is kept just inside the main gangway door where we can also phone for help. Indeed, Unicorn’s ship’s manager, Bob Hovell, was awarded a Police Commendation only last year for assisting in exactly this sort of incident.
The Ballad of Sir Ralph the Rover comes to mind the piratical vandal who cut the warning bell from the Bell Rock and later met his just end when he was shipwrecked there.
Vandals take heed!
Roderick Stewart. Operations Director, HM Frigate Unicorn.
Needs reality check
Sir, Andrew Llanwarne of Friends of the Earth is scathing in his letter of January 12 about Jenny Hjul’s article which appeared last Wednesday (Charles really does need to change themessage . . .).
I suggest it is he who needs a reality check.
Recent studies from the Met Office show there have been no significant increases at all in the world’s temperatures since 1997 and they admit there will not be any global warming over the next four years.
He states that the Arctic Sea ice is shrinking but ignores the fact that the Antarctica Sea ice has been growing since satellites first measured it 33 years ago.
He blames mankind for flooding, super-storm Sandy, typhoon Bopha and the catastrophic bush fires across South-East Australia. I assume that he also blames mankind for hurricanes, lightning and tsunamis?
He obviously does not know that in the United States the average incidence of hurricanes over the past half century has been lower than it was in the first 50 years of the 20th century.
Who will Mr Llanwarne blame for the Middle Ages warm period when vineyards grew in Durham and the little ‘Ice Age’ in the 17th century?
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.