Sir, – What does First Minister Nicola Sturgeon not understand about the word no?
The Oxford Concise Dictionary defines it as “a negative answer or decision, especially in voting”.
It may well be, of course, that, as a former lawyer, the word can be construed by her to have a range of meanings including, maybe sometime.
The people living in Scotland, and they are certainly not all Scots by birth, are growing weary of the never-ending quest by the SNP to break up the UK.
The nationalists seem to be quite content for Scotland to become an EU member state but at the same time are desperate to break away from the UK.
Unbelievably, they take no account of the fact that the rest of the UK just happens to be Scotland’s biggest customer by far for its export of goods and services.
They also seem to be oblivious to the deficit in the Scottish budget of almost 10% of GDP, equal to almost £15 billion.
The latest, rather tiresome listening exercise being mounted by Ms Sturgeon and her cohorts, is likely to prove most unpopular with the majority of the electorate in Scotland.
A total of 2,001,926 of us emphatically voted no to Scottish independence in the 2014 referendum and we quite rightly expected that to be the end of the matter.
We will most certainly regard such a listening exercise by the SNP as an intrusion of our privacy.
Before the SNP devotees even take to the road, or send out questionnaires by email, we know full well that the whole exercise will be biased towards the SNP’s crusade to break up Britain and, therefore, completely undemocratic.
I am certain that many folks throughout Scotland, including myself, will just send them packing.
The electorate gave a clear verdict in 2014 which should be respected. This state of neverendum in Scotland is totally unacceptable.
Robert I G Scott.
Northfield,
Ceres.
All rise for the great Davie Paris
Sir, – When I read the list of eight people: personalities, officials and players inducted into the Brechin City hall of fame, I could not believe that Davie Paris, an outstanding player in the late 1940s and early 1950s was not included in the first selection.
Even Forfar Athletic supporters I have spoken to are surprised at this omission.
Davie played for a few seasons and in each he scored more than 50 goals before transferring to Montrose and continuing with his 50-plus goals a season.
He was treated as a saint and for years after, if his name was mentioned, everybody stood to attention.
In fact, when talking about him to my fellow supporters, I was told I should be standing to attention, 60 years on.
Greg Mitchell.
55 Dundee Road,
Forfar.
Impressive Auchmuty
Sir, – Everyone in the Auchmuty High School catchment area, and wider, should be delighted and heartened by your report following the publication of the school inspectors’ report on the school.
I know that the staff found the inspection to be very vigorous and thorough and initially thought that concerns about the school might be reported due to the intensity of the inspection process. However, as shown in the final report, the result was quite the opposite with very positive conclusions being reached on all aspects of school life at Auchmuty.
The inspectors found that attainment continues to improve and the young people are very proud of their school.
I would like to add my personal praise to the pupils, the teaching staff, and particularly to headteacher Alan Pithie who was commended for his leadership strengths and vision.
We are very fortunate to have not only a spectacular new school building but a great team at Auchmuty.
Councillor Ian Sloan.
Glenrothes Central and Thornton,
Lady Nina Cottages,
Coaltown of Balgonie.
Are we really Better Together?
Sir, – How fascinating to read in your Thursday issue that Angus Robertson of the SNP declares that “access to…the London Stock Exchange is essential for the growth and success of Scotland’s businesses”.
Does this mean he realises we are Better Together?
Sandy Green.
The Old Rectory,
Cupar.
Uncertainty for business
Sir, – It is not credible for the SNP Government to claim it wants the best for Scotland with its new programme for government when in the mix of the plans, there is draft legislation for calling a second independence referendum.
If the First Minister triggers a referendum, all other priorities will come a poor second, with more divisive campaigning for separation dominating public life.
In particular, businesses considering taking up loans or finance guarantees under the new Scottish Growth Scheme will have to decide if they should take the risk of the Scottish Government potentially undermining their key markets in the rest of the UK by pursuing independence at any cost.
Keith Howell.
White Moss,
West Linton.
Referendum wreaked havoc
Sir, – It comes as a surprise to learn that the Scottish Government wants to listen by carrying out its own survey to assess public opinion and, in November, will tell the country what this opinion was.
While the discussions take place between the chosen two million and the nationalists, it may be worth noting the subjects missing from the debate, namely the fact that Scotland is broke and in debt to such an extent that the country would be debarred from entry into the EU.
The 2014 White Paper ignored any economic plan for independence.
Once again, after the shortest generation gap ever recorded, are we to decide without any financial plan or currency?
The battle for independence was hard fought, with casualties on both sides. The survivors are still recovering among the ruins of an economy halted, health and education unfit for purpose and the closure of local services.
Alan Bell.
Roods,
Kirriemuir.
Which services will be slashed?
Sir, – Unlike some, I feel it is quite relevant, in the light of the recently released GERS figures which show a £15 billion shortfall in our public finances, that there is a conversation between the SNP government and the people of Scotland.
Perhaps then we would find out, in the event of Scotland becoming independent, which services, benefits and pensions would be cut and which taxes raised to fill this black hole.
Councillor Mac Roberts.
Perth and Kinross Council,
Ward One,
Carse of Gowrie.