Sir, – I was very disappointed to learn of the reported poor morale in Police Scotland staff.
My reason for expressing this disappointment is that, from 1976 until my retirement in 1984, as a Superintendent and Divisional Commander of North East Fife, I knew every member of my staff, both police and civilian, and also many of the officers’ families, and I believed that was part of my duties.
I also expected any member of my staff to consult me, should they feel that they had a work related problem and were not getting a satisfactory answer from a member of my supervisory staff.
In fairness to the senior staff of Police Scotland, I think that there are far fewer supervisory staff to be able to undertake the level of supervision maintained when I served in the police.
Ian Thomson, Moor Road, Ceres, Cupar.
SNP are just as bad as the rest
Sir,- It would be wrong to question the integrity of all our MPs and MSPs on the alleged dubious antics of a few members.
However we do expect, and are indeed entitled to expect, from those to whom we hand power and authority, a degree of morality and rectitude over and above that which we’d normally expect from an ordinary member of the public.
The most vociferous critics of political sleaze, corruption and venality, particularly pertaining to their hated Westminster, are undoubtedly the SNP.
So when the alleged unscrupulous or questionable actions of highly placed party members with close ties to the past and present SNP leadership are exposed, it must come as a double blow to those who believed in their probity and the supposed superiority of the Scottish political class.
In the coming months leading up to the Scottish election we’ll be exposed to the usual sanctimonious guff from the political class.
Words such as inclusive, transparent, fairer and progressive will be used copiously no doubt, and our political masters will invoke imagery (real or imagined) of poverty, inequality and austerity in an attempt to impress us with the strategies they intend to employ to solve these woes of our society.
Whether we choose to believe this or not is entirely up to the individual.
The Scottish electorate, who seem to be determined to give the SNP unprecedented power in Holyrood, Westminster and local councils, should perhaps take seriously the warning by Lord Acton: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Iain G Richmond, Guildy House, Monikie.
Harsh reality of independence
Sir,- The letter from Mr Richard Clark shows he, like all of his persuasion, has a misunderstanding of the financial position of an independent Scotland.
The union case is based largely on the fact that now and into the future there is a massive gap between Scottish Government income and expenditure.
The expected prosperity of Scotland as an independent country was based on oil revenues which have evaporated and are most unlikely to recover.
For the Scottish Government to say oil revenues are only a “bonus” is not credible.
A year ago it said that oil revenue for the next five years would range from £15.8 billion to £38.7bn.
In June this year it said revenues would be between £2.4bn and £10.8bn.
At these levels, Scotland will have a budget deficit reminiscent of Greece, with the most serious implications for the Scottish economy.
Against these facts, a belief in a prosperous independent Scotland in the future is a complete fantasy.
There’s no money.
Ranald Noel-Paton, Pitcurran House, Abernethy, Perthshire.
The dangers of green legislation
Sir, – Rich resources such as the gas underneath Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay oil field and Scotland’s vast shale fields are known but cannot be developed because of “green” objections.
These are “stranded assets”, a controversial concept used by the Bank of England Governor Mark Carney to warn investors of the consequences of “global warming”.
Green legislation prices our hydrocarbons out of the market and results in heavy industry jobs such as the 1,700 at Redcar being off-shored to more pragmatic nations.
Nanocapacitors with big-energy storage may emerge but for now the SNP Government needs shale to save jobs at the likes of Grangemouth and keep the lights on in Scotland.
Dr John Cameron, 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Forces must not be compared
Sir, – I was very upset to read the comments made by the Rev Dr John Cameron about the Battle of Britain.
I lived and worked in London throughout the Second World War and lived through the Blitz.
After the retreat of our troops Hitler decided he could bomb us into submission.
The London Docks and London were his first port of call.
This is where the “few” came into action.
They were a small group of newly-trained fighter pilots all volunteers who fought the Luftwaffe as they approached our shores.
There were many dog fights over our heads, our boys suffered many casualties, and were exhausted but they won. The daytime bombing eased down.
Hitler decided to concentrate on night bombing, which is another story.
The Rev Doctor forgot to mention our Merchant Navy, who gave a lot to bring us food and other supplies.
All our forces gave of their best and should never be compared to each other.
Mrs A Harris, 9 Patrick Allen Fraser Street, Arbroath.
City has not built on its heritage
Sir, – Mature native Dundonians will be astounded that according to a report by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, the city has been ranked high in cultural diversity and has protected its iconic buildings.
It is no secret, I am 86, and while I am now residing in Tayport, I was born in Dundee, educated and lived in the city (except for National Service) for 70 years.
For more than 50 years of my life, the city, especially the harbour area, has been a building site and the demolition of many iconic buildings, now landfill, has taken place.
The obsession for demolition has deprived the younger generation of Dundonians their birthright to enjoy buildings and streets full of character and interest.
I am convinced if Edinburgh’s Royal Mile had been in Dundee it would have been demolished.
Only protestations by the pupils and the Dundee public saved Morgan Academy from that fate.
Before the Lord Provost and Gill Poulter dismiss me as a “blethering auld man”, I would recommend they read Lost Dundee a well-researched, factual book about the city’s lost architectural heritage.
RHL Mulheron, 28 Cowgate, Tayport.
What’s the plan on radiation?
Sir, – Now that Gordon Brown has left the stage we no longer hear about the storm in the tea cup the radium particles on Dalgety Bay beach.
Radium poses very little danger alarm clocks by the millions lie buried in every landfill in the world.
We now find ourselves with all but three SNP MPs in parliament.
When will they ask what the plan is for removing the scrap nuclear subs and cleaning up any radiation found in Rosyth or on the seabed around Rosyth, or are we going to be left holding the toxic baby forever in Fife?
John G Phimister 63 St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy.
One way is not the right way
Sir, – Due to the ongoing drainage work in Milnathort, New Road has been closed.
Traffic has been diverted up Victoria Avenue going East and I think down Back Loan going west.
The “no entry” sign on Victoria Avenue is totally inadequate and there is no signage to direct traffic down Back Loan.
On Friday at 3.15pm I encountered three cars going the wrong way along the one-way street and on contacting my local councillor was told (he agreed that the signage was inadequate) and that as it was after 3pm nothing could be done until Monday.
I did not realise that Perth and Kinross Council operated a poets’ day policy.
Is this why we pay such high taxes?
On Sunday morning as I was entering the one-way street four cars in procession approached.
The first three occupants all denied that Victoria Avenue was one way and the fourth driver had been informed that was the way west.
What happens if there is an accident, or heaven forbid a road rage incident? Will the council’s roads department take responsibility? I doubt it.
WS Young, Mawcarse, Milnathort.
Sombreros part of proud culture
Sir, – As a half-Mexican student I am disgusted by the ban on sombreros by the University of Nottingham’s Student Union.
The sombrero is a proud symbol of Mexico, its culture and history, just as the kilt is for Scotland. Banning it is an insult to all Mexicans.
British people without Mexican heritage are happy to eat our food and drink tequila; they should also feel free to wear our national hat.
Jack Neill, Braefoot Grove, Dalgety Bay, Fife