Sir, Of course, those paid to promote an industry bloated by subsidy are predicting doom over the news that David Cameron is considering pulling the plug on onshore wind.
Niall Stewart of ScottishRenewables insists “thousands” of jobs would go.
His own research shows onshore wind accounted for only 3397 full-time equivalent jobs, with the vast majority of these associated with the process of applying for and constructing wind farms.
These are not sustainable or permanent jobs unless we believe that the capacity of Scotland to accommodate wind turbines is unlimited and that the growing resistance from besieged communities and environmental NGOs can be dismissed.
Already Scotland has many more turbines than the rest of the UK, and far too many for the grid to cope with (although of course that doesn’t bother the wind farm operators as they get to collect millions in compensation payments).
In fact, research studies have repeatedly shown that subsidised jobs created by the wind industry cause between two and four jobs to be lost elsewhere in the economy.
Cutting subsidies would curb profiteering, stimulate much-needed innovation in energy production and protect everyone’s job by reducing electricity costs.
“Bad news for the economy, the environment and employment across Scotland?”
Only for the fat cats of the wind industry.
Linda Holt. Dreel House, Pittenweem, Anstruther.
What about the cost of the white paper?
Sir, I have to dispute the assertion made in Friday’s Courier by Blair Jenkins, the chief executive of the independence campaign, that the campaign is funded by public donations.
He has evidently overlooked the some £900,000 cost of the white paper on independence which is basically an SNP manifesto.
I recently attended a Scottish Government meeting on independence in Blairgowrie which was organised by Richard Lochhead MSP of the SNP and a host of civil servants, all at public expense, to answer the public’s questions. It turned out to be nothing other than a hard sell for independence.
The audience saw through their assertions that they were giving unbiased advice to the public and started asking awkward questions on the currency, membership of the EU and NATO etc none of which, incidentally, they could answer to the satisfaction of the audience.
If the SNP wish to organise independence meetings they should do this at their own expense and not at a cost to the taxpayer.
Councillor Mac Roberts. Ward 1, Carse of Gowrie, 2 High Street, Perth.
No longer the toast of Europe
Sir, Having read a couple of recent letters about plaudits for the previous status of Scottish education, I can vouch for this from personal experience. I started working in education in the mid-1960s and continued for over 40 years, covering various branches of the profession from early years to teacher education and post-graduate degree supervision.
I was privileged to be involved in the European circuit of conferences from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s and it was on that circuit that I became aware of just how highly Scottish education was considered by educational professionals in many other countries.
I accept that up until 1965 when comprehensive education was introduced, there was a view that Scottish education was a bit elitist, so change was inevitable and most changes have brought some benefits and insights to many of our school pupils and their teachers. I do not want to move back to the pre-1960 era, but I also no longer hear anyone say that Scottish education is the envy of Europe.
Jim Ewing. Robertson Terrace, Forfar.
Disappointed by fellow Scots
Sir, I am a retired Scotswoman who just happens to live over the border in England. I was bitterly disappointed when I discovered that I was not eligible to vote in the independence referendum.
However, I am even more disappointed in the attitude of several fellow Scots. When I express my disappointment I am abruptly told: “You live in England. Why should you get a vote?”
Are people saying that I am no longer Scottish because I live in another part of the United Kingdom. Am I no longer allowed to take part in such a momentous decision for the country of my birth?
I have no problem with allowing people of all nationalities living in Scotland to vote. However, many of them will have no understanding of the situation, many of them will simply not care and many of them will not appreciate the implications for Scotland and the United Kingdom.
I find it hard to believe I cannot vote because my address happens to be in England.
Overseas Scots are in a totally different situation because the majority of them do not contribute to the UK economy and they may not be up to date with the political implications.
However, I do care and I am a UK citizen. I have paid taxes to the UK Government since my teenage years (still paying taxes) and I have contributed to the UK economy all my life and yet I am excluded from voting.
Mr Salmond is allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote so I assume he considers their vote more important than Scots living in other part of the UK.
I have not moved to another country I am still living in the United Kingdom and I am fiercely proud of being a Scot.
Mary Twynam. Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.