Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, It is depressing to witness, once again, Labour’s constant negativity. Lewis Macdonald, instead of congratulating the Scottish Government on their proposals to enhance Scotland’s woeful infrastructure, calls it ”a Santa letter”.
For heaven’s sake, just for once, can they not work together for the good of the country?
Does that mean that if Labour are ever returned to Government, they will cancel all these proposed improvements?
I appreciate that while in office they did little or nothing to develop roads, schools and hospitals, but surely, just surely, they can see the merit in such proposals.
Is it not a function of government to plan ahead?
A once-admired political party has been reduced by envy, spite and incompetence to regard their role in parliament as constant political manipulation for party purposes. If at the expense of the people, so be it.
Witness as one example only, the transfer of £500m from proposed A9 dualling improvements to the much-loved Edinburgh tram scheme, entirely as a short-term political point score.
Well, didn’t they do well!
David Morrison.57 Station Road,Invergowrie.
Fears were unfounded
Sir, I congratulate Letham Community Sports Club on getting planning permission.
I am sure once the all-weather pitch is up and running the few local people who objected to this venture will agree their fears were unfounded.
Some of the arguments were just silly, as anyone who has ever been at Seven Acres watching the children play will confirm.
Parents just don’t stand around watching their kids play football and swig alcohol.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids of Perth City North. Anyone who has tried to watch a game wearing wellies in the mud will agree. The club recruits from Letham and Hillyland, and has a fully inclusive policy.
It has a social, responsible attitude to anti-racism, anti-sectarianism, anti-sexism, and basically any anti- thing that could possibly divide children and is an inspiration.
So, too, is their positive attitude to healthy living, healthy eating and no drinking, smoking or drug taking. It is no wonder that they were named Community Club of the Year in 2010.
Cllr Elspeth Maclachlan.122 Dunsinane Drive,Letham, Perth.
Always going to be end result
Sir, I was deeply disturbed to see the report on Miss Uprichard’s case against the Scottish Government and Fife Council.
It would seem (to a layman’s eyes) the end result was always going to be this.
What is more worrying is if this is to be a lesson to anyone who dares to take on the establishment.
Miss Uprichard should be proud of her record on trying to do what she thinks is best for St Andrews and its people.
If it were not for people like her, unelected people would run rampant over common sense … if that has not already happened.
Sandy Alston.West Lodge,St Andrews.
I’m afraid it’s just progress
Sir, Kirkcaldy Civic Society is desperate to save the Nairn Linoleum Works on Victoria Road. Why don’t they buy it and refurbish it, or do whatever they wish with it?
I for one, as a ratepayer, will be very glad to see this monstrosity razed to the ground, if only to save the huge sum of money that it costs annually just to stop it falling on people’s heads.
I would suggest that a large majority of people in Fife also feel this way.
Kirkcaldy has a history of linoleum production which has evolved into new, more efficient premises.
It’s called progress. If we kept all the old factories there wouldn’t be room for new ones.
John Strachan.23 Beechwood Avenue,Glenrothes.
Protecting own interests
Sir, It was recently proposed to move the Carse of Gowrie areas who currently vote in the Parliamentary elections as part of the Perthshire Constituency into Dundee West.
This was opposed at a recent public hearing by the Perth and Kinross Conservative councillors Mac Roberts and Alexander Stewart. The move was also opposed by the Labour MP for Dundee West.
The long-recognised fact that the Carse of Gowrie is historically and geographically part of Perthshire was established many years ago and remains the wish of the majority of local residents.
Neither of the local SNP councillors appeared to represent their Carse of Gowrie people and failed to register any opposition to a proposal that would cede a large section of the Carse of Gowrie into the Dundee West voting area.
The SNP claim to protect the Scottish people but appear to only protect the interests of their own party.
Angus Brown.Station Road,Longforgan.
It is time to leave the EU
Sir, Merkel and Sarkozy shake hands on the steps of the Elysee Palace, having grabbed power to themselves.
Over their shoulders you could see Hitler and Bonaparte also shaking hands.
Where is today’s Churchill or Wellington?
It is time to leave the European Union!
Raymond Mennie.49 Ashbank Road,Dundee.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.