Sir, Bring back powers to county councils. Reincarnate burgh, town and city councils and let them be responsible for raising local taxes, be they domestic or business rates and, possibly, sales tax.
For economies of scale, councils could join with adjoining ones for specific purposes as happens in Tayside, where Tayside Contracts covers work for Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross councils.
All governments since about 1964 have been pulling powers to the centre. The Scottish Government has been no different. Think policing, planning etc.
So let us work towards getting the UK Government just to look after the things that are done on a national scale: defence, foreign affairs, trunk roads etc and get rid of Holyrood and have an effective Scottish Office.
Also, let us rid ourselves of the idea that 16-year-olds should have the vote. In fact, why not raise the voting age to 21? This is an age at which most young people have some real experience of life. And to be a councillor at local level, they should be at least 25. In the hope that MPs might have a bit more experience than just being in party politics, make the qualifying age 35.
Westminster has at least a revising chamber (Holyrood doesn’t) in the House of Lords but that place is vastly overcrowded and crying out for reform and reduction in numbers.
With the devolution of a lot more powers, would we really need so many in the House of Commons? I suggest there should be no more MPs than there are seats for them in the chamber.
John Dorward. 89 Brechin Road, Arbroath.
Try winning with grace
Sir, It’s good to see that Alistair Darling is subscribing to the broadly held aim of national reconciliation with his comment that Alex Salmond has lost the argument, the referendum, his job and now the plot. (Incidentally, Mr Darling, he has not lost his job, he is going to give it up; there’s a subtle difference). That should really help to heal national divisions.
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Cellardyke.
Until the next referendum?
Sir, The referendum is over and the people of Scotland have given their resounding support to remaining in the United Kingdom, with nearly 90% of the electoral districts rejecting independence and the defeated leader falling upon his sword.
However, there was a veiled threat contained in the highly-censored First Minister’s exit speech when he declared this vote to be only stage one.
It would appear the nationalists have taken to the European style of elections, holding a referendum every two years or so until they get the result they want; a terrifying prospect for the future of our country and democracy.
All their talk about the referendum being the one and only, never to be repeated, contrasts withthe attitudes prevailing inthe aftermath of ademocratic vote.
Surely the referendum stripped the SNP of their reason for existence and their only political goal, as the Labour Party already represents socialism in the country.
Might we anticipate a rebranded federalist party or a rejuvenated nationalist party?
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir
. Foreign aid isn’t helping us
Sir, When are we going to hear an end to this continual bleating about food banks in this country? Surely the answer is to stop all the billions of pounds in overseas aid, especially to countries richer than us, and redirect the money to alleviate poverty in this country.
We have money taken from us by the UK Government but we get a double whammy, as the Scottish Government also sees fit to provide foreign aid.
I have never heard of anyone being asked if they wish to donate this money.
Sort out our own country first and then deal with the rest of the world’s problems, if and when we have money to do so.
Bob Duncan. 110 Caesar Avenue, Carnoustie.
PRI is in very good health
Sir, I see Perth Royal Infirmary is getting a hiding again over its treatment and service to patients. Well, I was on holiday recently, from the Isle of Cumbrae to Blairgowrie, when I took ill with a mini stroke and the treatment I received from admission onwards was really brilliant.
I was in Ward 4 for my three days and found everyone involved to be very professional and efficient from the cleaners to the nurses to the consultants.
The place was spotless and even the food was good. Keep it up.
Alex Dobbin. Millport, Isle of Cumbrae.