Madam, – While agreeing with the cogent points made in the letter to The Courier by Stuart McIntosh (“Devolution works but it is no panacea,” July 2) on some of the obvious failings of devolved government, as shown by the two campaigns now running to regenerate Levenmouth, the failings of large private companies is also a significant factor, as well as unresponsive government.
I read this week that Kilmarnock is still struggling after Diageo closed its bottling plant there in 2012.
It left no lasting legacy as well as 700 unemployed.
That plant moved to Leven, grateful for the work certainly, but it is very disappointing how this corporate giant brings so little else to the community.
The railway line could easily be reopened if Diageo requested its use, which would compel Network Rail to bring the mothballed track up to standard within 12 months.
That would also remove many heavy freight trucks from the poor roads serving this area, reduce carbon emissions and leave a worthwhile legacy for the wider community, all at limited cost to the company.
Yet there is absolutely no sign of corporate social responsibility being shown, let alone leadership.
Samsung, Bifab-Barnes and EDF bear as much responsibility for the continuing inactivity at Fife Energy Park, in which considerable public sums have been invested.
Devolved Scottish parliament and government need to be doing much more, but large private companies seem to have entirely abandoned their duties to the Levenmouth community as elsewhere.
James Robertson.
Casan, Leven,
Fife.
Stop making fizzy drinks
Madam, – If Scotland is to be carbon neutral by 2050, everyone must make an effort.
Many popular canned and bottled Scottish beverages are fizzy because CO2 is injected into them under pressure.
Here is a sacrifice we could make, and others will surely follow.
No more carbonated fizzy drinks!
Something that will surely lead the way for the rest of the world.
Malcolm Parkin.
Gamekeepers Road,
Kinnesswood.
Brexit MPs’ total disrespect
Madam, – It is with great sadness that I write to comment on what can only be described as pathetic, childish and maybe even racist.
The Brexit MPs elected by the mainly English public turning their backs on the anthem of the EU parliament is disrespectful beyond words.
These British Nationalists are no doubt being paid expenses and wages to attend the EU parliament and yet they treat it, and the other countries represented, with disrespect. It confirms what horrible people they are.
Could you imagine the furore if SNP MPs did the same thing at Westminster over God save the Queen?
Scots should, at the earliest opportunity, distance themselves from the antics of the British Nationalism displayed by UKIP, the Brexit Party, and their friends in the Tory party.
Bryan Auchterlonie.
Bluebell Cottage,
Perth.
Toxic trio have tipped balance
Madam, – Is it any wonder that the Scotland in Union letter writers are so actively pushing their anti-independence message these days, when a recent poll, which SIU themselves commissioned, has come back showing 68% support for independence, and 32% against, consistent with most other recent polls?
The toxic triumvirate of Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Brexit have tipped the balance.
Les Mackay,
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
Is money the real motive?
Madam, – In the six-year duration of an Edinburgh University medical course, a UK student would pay £9,250 a year.
An international, non-EU student would pay £32,100 in years 1-3, a difference of £22,850, and £49,900 in years 4-6, a difference of £40,650.
This means the 36 English students being culled by the SNP will create £1,150,000 a year in fee revenue “headroom” – a total of £6,858,000.
The excuse for this is to get more Scottish-trained doctors to take up posts here, but it turns out that foreign doctors are less likely to stay here than English graduates.
My accumulated years of astonishment, suspicion, dismay and anger at overt and covert anti-Englishness by the SNP and their followers, and firm evidence of general incompetence, prevent me from forming an objective view of the real motives, or speculating on how and how far this will seep into other courses.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
Disgraceful slavery remark
Madam, – I am utterly shocked to learn that Ann Widdecombe likened Brexit with the emancipation of slaves.
Did she really think before making a speech that upset so many people?
How on earth can someone with, I thought, good intelligence, make such an appalling and sickening remark?
Was there no-one within this Brexit party with the courage to stand up against this revolting text?
To make such a comparison, is a kick in the teeth for the descendants of people that suffered whilst being abused as a slave, as well as being completely beside any truth in the first place.
If this is the “wisdom and intelligence” from the Brexit party, it says a lot about this party!
I have insufficient words to express my revulsion and anger that this remark is made by a woman who claims to represent the UK in the EU parliament.
She is an utter disgrace.
Mrs Widdecombe should apologise and step down immediately, as there will be a big chance that she, willingly and knowingly, will damage the UK with these very ill-chosen ideas and remarks.
Mrs Maaike Cook.
Cash Feus,
Strathmiglo.
A name to change it all?
Madam, – The SNP continue to fight for a second Indy referendum knowing if Scotland gained independence they would not automatically become EU members.
Scotland would need to apply to join the EU and the SNP were warned about this by leaders of the EU prior to the most recent Indy referendum.
They were told it is because the name of the member state that joined the EU is “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.
Having given this matter some considerable thought, I wonder what the position would be for the rest of the UK (in relation to their EU membership) if Brexit does not go ahead (as I hope it does) and Scotland do get independence?
Would the rest of the UK automatically be expelled from the EU on the basis that, if Scotland left the UK, then the reality is that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland would cease to exist?
The remaining home nations would have to be renamed “the United Kingdom of England, Wales and Northern Ireland” and there is, currently, no EU member state of that name.
Kenneth Brannan.
42 Greenlee Drive,
Dundee.