Sir, What an excellent and factual letter from George Thomson in Thursday’s Courier in relation to the working of Police Scotland.
The idea of a National Police force was a disaster from the start but of course, the politicians always know better than the “men on the ground”.
The senior police officers delegated to run the service for the public are obviously not going to contradict a politician in case it affects their future prospects. Local community policing has disappeared with the closing of police stationsand the centralising of resources but nothing can beat the local police officer and his vast amount of local knowledge, which is whatthe prevention and detection of crime is all about.
Sadly, there will not be a U-turn because the politicians are always right and “lessons will never be learned”.
John McDonald, Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.
Energy dream a self-serving SNP fantasy
Sir, The Commission on Energy Regulation’s report on energy in an independent Scotland is the latest rhetorical attempt by the SNP to create legitimacy for a self-serving fantasy.
No one knows what will happen to the energy market in an independent Scotland, just as no one knows what will happen to Scotland’s currency or EU membership.
The problem with energy, as with the currency and EU membership, is the nationalists insist all the advantages of the present arrangements Scotland enjoys as part of the Union will continue.
At the same time, however, all the disadvantages the nationalists see in these arrangements will disappear, thanks to the enlightened rule of an independent Scottish Government.
I suppose it is theoretically possible that pigs might fly but few investors will be betting hard cash on the rosy scenario presented by the Commission on Energy Regulation.
Scottish renewable development has only been possible because of billions of pounds of subsidy and infrastructure spending by the UK Government.
Generating renewable energy in Scotland continues to require high levels of consumer subsidy and cannot compete with cheaper electricity from Europe.
It is hard to imagine energy suppliers paying over the odds for Scottish renewable energy, let alone a UK government requiring its hard-pressed voters to subsidise electricity generation in a country which has turned its back on the Union.
Linda Holt, Dreel House, Pittenweem, Anstruther.
Is anybody else suffering my bin woes?
Sir, I would be interested to know how widespread throughout Fife is the appalling bin collection service we get.
Being in the country, we receive only a landfill collection every two weeks, no recycling whatsoever.
Both this week and two weeks ago the collection vehicle drove straight past our bins, put out at the correct place at the right time, without stopping.
Fortunately, I was at home and was able to go to the next farm and get them to return, the operatives making the excuse they were not paying attention.
To happen once may not be a problem but twice in succession smacks of incompetence.
Is this happening all over the county? If so, it is the highly-paid management who need to be held to account.
Andrew F. Gilmour, Londive, Montrave Home Farm, Leven.
Yes vote gives Scots a true government
Sir, I commend Sir Michael Atiyah for his principled decision to vote Yes on September 18 because of his opposition to nuclear weapons.
I too will be voting Yes and mine too is a principled decision.
I believe Scottish voters should get the Government for which they vote every time, not just sometimes.
I take no particular view as to what stripe that Government may be, as long as it is the one for which Scottish voters voted. Those who choose to vote No risk giving Scotland future Governments for which a majority of Scottish voters did not vote, as has happened far too often in the past. Only a Yes vote can guarantee no repetition of that wrong.
Robert A. Lyon, Albany Terrace, Dundee.
Early onset is different from early diagnosis
Sir, In reference to the report re Billy Connolly. Your reporter wrote Billy has “early onset Parkinson’s”. Early onset is the term used to describe young people who are diagnosed below the age of 40, which clearly Billy is not. I assume your reporter meant to say he was in early stages of the syndrome.
I was diagnosed at age 52, some 16 years ago. Usually Parkinson’s is diagnosed in people over 50.
Drew Saunders, Dundee Road, Letham.