Sir, In reply to Iain Richmond’s letter in Wednesday’s Courier, I am, by his ridiculous definition, a fanatic.
Because I completely reject the status quo of Westminster politics and believe that Scotland would be better off determining its own future, people like him can only throw insults and dismiss me as being a fanatic.
I will never accept that it is right that a quarter of our population live in poverty. I will never agree to a system that sees the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
I will never accept a system whereby Scotland is governed by a party it never voted for.
If that makes me a fanatic then I am proud to be one.
It’s odds on that our next Westminster government will be the Tories again but this time in a coalition with UKIP.
I assume Mr Richmond believes that arrangement would be good for Scotland?
If, in the unlikely event, enough English people vote for Labour in four months’ time it is a real possibility that they would need to have a coalition partner.
Far better for the country that the partner would be the SNP than UKIP or the shambles that is the Lib Dems.
Mr Richmond accuses Nicola Sturgeon of doublespeak and defends Jim Murphy.
That is just risible.
Mr Murphy is a man who voted against free university education even though he spent nine years at university at the taxpayers’ expense before leaving without a degree.
I am an ex-Labour supporter and it is Mr Murphy and his New Labour colleagues that caused my total disillusionment with the Labour Party.
Harry Key. 20 Mid Street, Largoward.
Just the same old moan . . .
Sir, Correspondents are continually bemoaning that referendum “losers” have not accepted the result. These comments are mostly inane and ill-informed.
First and foremost, if the result had not been accepted we would have had a declaration of independence. Independence has not been declared so it is patently obvious that the result has been accepted by all parties.
For some, however, the desire for independence remains a strategic and long- term goal. Just because 55% of the voters said they didn’t want independence does not mean the remaining 45% are giving up and disappearing.
The goal of independence for those of that ilk remains exactly as the Conservative Party’s ideals did after the 1997 general election and the Labour Party’s did after the last one, both of which they respectively lost, and so on.
People do not give up when they perceive that the current system is not working as well as it could and therefore they continue working towards their goals, regardless of whichever bit of the political spectrum they occupy.
One side continues to think that we are better shackled to Westminster and the other that we would be better on our own. The political debate goes on and it would be improved with a little bit more considered comment and analysis instead of blind obedience to blinkered dogma.
Perhaps it is the naysayers who have yet to move on and put their energies into improving life for all of us, instead of continually moaning.
Nick Cole. Balmacron Farmhouse, Meigle.
A gentle slap on the wrist
Sir, The four SNP councillors filmed setting fire to a copy of the Smith Report have been suspended from the party for two months.
No fines or expulsions; only a slap on the wrist with a feather duster. To add insult to this, they will still get their salary as councillors paid for by the taxpayer.
Dan Arnott. St Brycedale Court, Kirkcaldy.
The report was misinterpreted
Sir, Can I pay tribute to a group of workers who rarely get the recognition they richly deserve? Home Carers, who turn out in all weathers and on public holidays, delivering essential support and assistance to vulnerable and disabled people.
Their cheerfulness, responsiveness and attention give necessary help and safety to many, often elderly individuals living alone.
My experience is with a council’s Home Carers, whose pay is far less than the several unnecessary tiers of management in council. Last year, that same management “blamed” social work overspends on care for the elderly.
A proper examination of the report actually showed that the overspend arose from costs to do with children.
If social work did not place and pay for so many children (perhaps of single parents) in expensive nurseries and child care as well as those “looked after” youngsters, overspends would reduce. Then, maybe, management would not try to mislead by misinterpreting reports.
Social work and health becoming more closely associated may well be a good idea, but only if management improves its performance.
Joyce Smith. 4 Lime Grove, Methil.
No needs for parents?
Sir, Are parents becoming redundant? After free school dinners for everyone will school dormitories be the next innovative idea?
Mary Smith. Silver End Cottage, Maryburgh, Blairadam, Kinross-shire.