Sir, In his letter of January 5, Derek Farmer trots out the tired old unionist line that Scotland is too wee and poor to be a successful independent country; a line that becomes ever more tiresome the more often it is used by those who seem to have very little else to offer the debate. He also throws in the price of oil, as if oil is a curse on Scotland rather than a boon.
Disappointingly, the current, and no doubt temporary, fall in the oil price appears to fill him and his fellow unionists with glee despite the plight of the thousands who stand to lose their livelihoods as a result. That the oil industry’s very existence, whatever its size, puts Scotland’s GDP/head higher than the UK average does not seem to have dawned on him.
However, none of his rhetoric stands up to even the most cursory of scrutinies. If Scotland is too wee and poor to withstand the buffeting caused by the vagaries of the world economy, how does he explain the success of the very wealthy and successful small countries of Western Europe?
How is it they are able to thrive in this environment and all without the illusory protection of Westminster and the greater UK economy while Scotland, cursed as it is with rich resources, would sink without trace?
The fact is, being a peripheral part of the UK does absolutely nothing to protect Scotland from global economic events. The unenviable poverty statistics and diaspora (literally millions) are testament to that. If it did, Scotland would be at least as prosperous as our small, independent near neighbours rather than their poor relations.
Mr Farmer can trot out as many lines as he likes that put Scotland down; but until he can explain why other small countries can successfully stand on their own two feet while Scotland is incapable, it is just “blah, blah, blah”.
Stuart Allan. Flat E, 8 Nelson Street, Dundee.
There are lies and . . .
Sir, According to new data, wind power generated enough electricity to supply 98% and the sun provided at least two-thirds of electricity or hot water to Scottish households in 2014 (your report, January 3). No, it’s not April 1.
If the wind blows, the wind turbines produce electricity and the wind industry is paid whether it is consumed or is wasted. We do not need the electricity from all the turbines between midnight and dawn.
Denmark produces 28% of its electricity from wind but, after pressure from anti-turbine groups, had to admit that more than half of this was wasted and sold at a loss because it was not required.
No wonder Danish consumers have the most expensive electricity in Europe.
This new pro-renewables data might be properly summed up: “There are lies, damned lies and renewables industry statistics.”
Dan Arnott. St Brycedale Court, Kirkcaldy.
Nothing less is expected
Sir, It was stated in the national news on Tuesday that a police report into Glasgow’s refuse lorry incident, will be published at the end of the month. No problem with that. Sufficient time has to be allowed for evidence to be gathered, statements analysed and causes established.
Also, however, someone is to make a decision on whether a public inquiry is to be held?
Good grief! Six people dead, numerous severely injured one the 14-year-old granddaughter of a relative of mine and how many people affected by loss and shock? And someone wants to ponder whether an inquiry should be held?
I think all those affected in some way, expect nothing less than an inquiry, no question about it, in order to find out why they had to suffer such drastic loss, discover any underlying root causes and then maybe decide how far it will go.
I thank God the person we know is on the mend, but there are others who cannot do that. I hope, in time, they can overcome their grief and shock.
Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham by Forfar.
Cuts will have to be made
Sir, It seems SNP supporters are starting 2015 with the same self-denial and economically unrealistic modes of 2014.
Mr Kelly (letters, December 31) claims the referendum “yes” vote was not a massive defeat as it was within a five-point swing to independence. Perhaps he should compare the differential to the much-vaunted SNP 2011 Scottish election when the SNP polled 45.4 % and all other parties combined totalled 54.6%.
In the referendum, the SNP gained only three SNP wins out of 41 Scottish voting areas with some “no” percentages as high as 60%. A victory any political party would relish.
Without cuts or very high taxation, the SNP can not afford the multitude of election goodies promised in the 600 plus pages of their independence dreambook entitled Scotland’s Future. What will be cut to face economic reality? When published, the revised range of SNP 2015 election manifesto promises will make interesting reading.
Angus Brown. The Orchard, Longforgan, Dundee.
Too small and underfunded
Sir, Present NHS problems, caused by lack of capacity, are hardly surprising. People who would have died in their 60s now die in their 80s, an increase of one-third, and older people need the NHS much more, so that in itself creates further demand.
New procedures to prolong life also cost more money.
So the NHS is now simply too small and is underfunded.
Some of the £12 billion a year we waste on foreign aid would help the NHS, as would a proper examination of its efficient use of funds.
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.