Madam, – Never in my life have I known our country to be in such a parlous state.
When I talk with those who, like me, lived through the Second World War we agree that in some ways the war was better than this.
We had a common purpose. We knew who our enemies were. We knew who were our allies. Oh that we could have a society like that now.
We lived in the south-east of England, we watched the Battle of Britain unfold above us. One group of young men trying to kill another similar group.
All at the behest of those who got us into it in the first place.
We were all in the thick of it. I was shot at by enemy aircraft in 1941.
In July 1944 we were dug out of our house, flattened by a V1 flying bomb, the infamous doodle bug.
The upside was that we were sent to the peace and tranquillity of mid Wales. We were welcomed and cared for by the wonderful Welsh people.
History shows us that two countries, Germany and Italy, were led by two fascist megalomaniacs.
They both came to power by disrupting society, so that people would accept anything to get some form of stability.
In both instances many were murdered for their race and political beliefs.
Both countries and Japan had to be helped by those who ‘won the war’. Believe me, nobody wins.
Many believe that ‘that can’t happen here’. Think very carefully.
The leader of the most militarily powerful nation on Earth is arrogant and thinks you can bomb anyone into submission.
He also appears to want to make the UK the 51st state of the USA – chlorinated chickens and all.
In the UK we have an unelected leader who wants to destroy a political system that goes back to the Magna Carta.
Westminster, the Mother of Parliaments, it’s likely to be the sickest of sick jokes.
Yet there are those when faced by a BBC microphone who say “give him a chance, he can’t makes things worse, can he?”
Yeah, and the moon is made of green cheese too.
Boris Johnson if allowed will take us all to a future of want and misery.
He makes it up as he goes along and has not got the slightest idea what will happen. We need leadership, not ‘venturism’.
We must take courage and stop this crafty and devious buffoon from taking us into what will be a total disaster.
Unite and we stop this utter folly; divide and we descend into oblivion.
Bill Ledger.
43 Dreelside,
Anstruther.
Understanding Hair’s priorities
Madam, – Our MP Kirstene Hair famously did not vote in the EU referendum because she found it difficult to make up her mind.
She later urged fellow MPs and the country to back Theresa May’s deal as being the best available and now she votes to back Johnson’s no-deal strategy.
A recent report (No-deal would hit poorest the most, Courier, September 3) revealed that Tayside councils are preparing for a no-deal Brexit by planning for fuel, medicine and food shortages.
These plans are based upon the UK Government’s own predictions published in the press last month.
It seems a no-deal Brexit will harm the people of Angus as well as the rest of the UK.
Perhaps we should bear in mind that Scotland overwhelmingly voted “remain” in the EU referendum.
On this basis it could appear that Ms Hair, by voting for a no-deal Brexit, is neither concerned about what is best for her constituents or representing their views.
It would be good if Ms Hair would tell us her reasons for backing Mr Johnson’s no-deal Brexit strategy.
Without such an explanation we are left wondering if Ms Hair is guided by what is in the best interests of the Tory Party or of her constituents?
Brian Batson.
7 Lour Road,
Forfar.
Don’t hold your breath for FM
Madam, – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has claimed that stopping a no-deal Brexit must be her top priority.
This comes four years after she asked us to believe that education was her top priority.
We now have about 3,000 fewer teachers than when the SNP came to power, fewer subjects available and falling standards.
To those wanting to stop a no-deal Brexit with Ms Sturgeon’s help, don’t hold your breath.
Jane Lax.
Pine Lodge,
Craigellachie.
A hydrogen power future
Madam, – Gordon Pay’s letter (Viability of electric cars, Courier, September 2) defends the plug-in cars over hydrogen vehicles.
To me his arguments are very much like what we heard from the supporters of word processors in the short time before computers hit the market.
I am not against batteries per se as Mr Pay seems to suggest, but I am totally against the plug-in future he defends.
He states he already has a plug-in car capable of going 150 miles.
Sorry but I am not impressed at all.
There were electric cars in the early 1900s that could boast that.
He states he plugs in for free. How wrong he is.
When he plugs in he connects to a system costing many billions of pounds. On the other end of his wire will more than likely be a nuclear power station.
If everyone were to have plug-in cars it is estimated we would require at least three more nuclear power stations.
As our present ones are nearing the end of their productive lives that means we will have to spend trillions of pounds to ensure that the nuclear energy companies can supply enough energy for the country’s needs.
If batteries are so good why is it that we all have so many issues with our mobile phones and other devices.
I am constantly having to recharge my various gadgets.
A few weeks ago about a million homes were without electricity due to a major power outage.
Would that mean that thousands of people couldn’t get to work or school because their cars had not had their batteries charged.
At a fraction of the cost of nuclear power stations we could have a full infrastructure of hydrogen stations around the country where we could fill up with hydrogen, much as we now do with petrol and diesel.
The only emission would be water vapour and no need for nuclear energy or fossil fuel.
Japan, Germany and California are all committed to a hydrogen future.
Are we to sit back and watch them cash in or are we going to join them in the energy of the future.
Harry Key.
20 Mid Street,
Largoward.
Obsession with celebrity
Madam, – Why is Perth and Kinross parachuting an American artist in to paint a mural in Mill Street in Perth – and I expect at great expense – when there are some very talented and highly professional artists in Scotland who could do a terrific job on that wall (Plans for huge Perth city centre mural by social media favourite. Courier, September 2)
Celebrity driven again I expect.
Ian C Imrie.
Heughfield House,
Heughfield Road,
Bridge of Earn.
