Sir, June Reid (Friday’s letters), should not assume that all those who are not “citizens” of the country voted “no” in the referendum.
Perhaps she could also tell me how I could have “applied for citizenship” of the country?
I, as an incomer, voted “yes” (my wife, a native Scot, voted “no”).
I first came to Scotland in 1957, which is only three years after Alex Salmond arrived, and a long time before Nicola Sturgeon, and I would have applied for citizenship long ’ere this if such a mechanism existed.
Had the vote gone the other way I would have been near the head of the queue on the 19th.
I came to Scotland because I wanted to, not because of an accident of birth, and, like many long-term residents, came to get away, in some small sense, from the all-pervading English control.
I use English quite deliberately and my vote was entirely based, not on dislike of the people in a racist sense, but simply of their smothering influence.
I don’t think anyone can really deny that they do tend to dominate the union.
No-one else voted Conservative in the last election, but we all have a Conservative prime minister. I was hoping to see that dominance edged back a little more, but you have decided against it.
It will have minimal effect on me at this stage of my life, but I only hope that many of you, and more importantly, your children and grandchildren, will not live to regret it.
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Cellardyke.
Could be doing worse things
Sir, That section of Dens Park known as the Derry is like a throwback to the 70s but so what?
I remember every ground in the country had sections like that where fans could chant and sing with gay abandon anything they liked without fear of offending some PC faint hearts.
Indeed, songs were connived to offend opposing fans which brought great amusement to all when they were belted out.
It did get out of hand at times and a few got lifted now and then when passions went too far, but didn’t Jim McLean lose the plot on occasion when he was manager at Tannadice? He wouldn’t be allowed in football now.
Would it not be better for the authorities to allow our fans young or otherwise to go a bit over the top and shoot their mouths off at matches rather than shooting up with heroin or causing problems on the streets?
No matter what problems you had in years gone by you and your mates could look forward to a Saturday meeting the squad, marching to the ground where it was affordable to all, and you got your highs and lows at the game.
We all see games on TV from places like Russia, Poland, Serbia, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and many more. Look at their fans. Now think of the fuss about the Derry. No comparison?
George Aimer. 82 Kinghorne Road, Dundee.
Need anthem to unite us
Sir, Following on from Harry Key’s letter (October 9), in which he raises a very good and maybe even important point on the national anthem and what the “no” voters will sing.
I think it would be slightly hypocritical of anyone who voted “no” to sing Flower of Scotland especially the bit “but we can still rise now and be a nation again”. Perhaps they could just hum that bit.
Or maybe it’s time we had a new national anthem that would be inclusive of the No voters? How about God Save The Queen, or There’ll Always Be An England, or maybe Rule Britania?
I’ve just had a flash of inspiration. Let’s have a referendum on it.
Seriously, it will be difficult for some to sing Flower of Scotland I would have thought.
Maybe we need something that can help to get all Scots on the same side again. I’ve never thought Flower of Scotland very uplifting when compared to the Welsh or French anthem.
Bryan Auchterlonie. Bluebell Cottage, Ardargie.
Let’s just get on with life
Sir, What planet is Harry Key living on, talking absolute nonsense about national anthems? Do we not have more important things to worry about?
I think it’s about time these “yes” voters got it into their heads that the reason for the “no” vote was because the majority of Scottish people didn’t want separation.
If it had been a “yes” vote it wouldn’t have bothered me, so let’s stop all this silly nonsense and accept that the “yes” vote was well and truly beaten and get on with life.
Bob Skelligan. 3 Finlarig Terrace, Dundee.
All that rhetoric now forgotten
Sir, If the boot had been on the other foot, 55% yes and 45% no, our soon-to-be-ex-First Minister would be banging on about how everyone had to accept the “settled will of the Scottish people”.
Alas, Alex Salmond and his supporters seem to have forgotten all the pre-referendum rhetoric about respecting the “settled will of the Scottish people”.
The point about democracy is that it cuts both ways. Fairness, as all children have to learn, isn’t just about winning.
Linda Holt. Dreel House, Pittenweem.