Sir, – While driving home into Elie the other night I was confronted by a sight that could have inspired Bruce Springsteen to write his legendary Darkness On The Edge Of Town.
Instead of the usual warm orange glow over the village there was an eerie, unnerving gloom, reminiscent of the power cuts of the early 1970s.
I thought maybe Fife Council was staging a re-enactment of the Second World War blackouts to educate younger villagers.
But no, much worse, it was the latest in money-saving technology.
It had installed tiny little LED lights atop spindly, shorter lampposts that I wouldn’t consider bright enough to use on my bike.
They emit a cold, white light, beaming straight down rather like a household reading lamp, leaving parked cars and pedestrians simply dancing in the dark.
Any power saving will very soon be swallowed by the NHS as folk bump into each other or trip over potholes, not to mention expensive veterinary fees for nocturnal cats developing eye strain.
Still, this dark cloud may have a faintly silver lining for some.
These dimmer lights create the perfect habitat for burglars, muggers, vandals and car thieves.
Mind you, it could be worse. In view of recent events we could have been born in the USA.
Duncan Leith.
South Lodge,
Elie Estate.
The big myth of subsidies
Sir, – Messrs Farmer and Davie (January 16) employ faux outrage, hyperbole and misinterpretation in order to deflect from the Great British rake off of Scotland’s assets.
John Jappy, a former senior civil servant in the Treasury, when given access to the UK’s books, discovered the reality lurking behind the subsidised Scotland myth.
As he has stated: “I was shocked to find that the position was exactly the opposite: that Scotland contributed far more to the UK economy than the other partners.”
This pre-dated the North Sea discoveries and the suppression of the McCrone report, which predicted an independent Scotland as wealthy as Switzerland.
The conspiracy of silence regarding this document was supported by all the unionist cabal, an act made even more shameful by the ramping up of the subsidy junkie myth which Mr Redfern referenced in the letter which triggered this particular debate.
Scotland is not subsidised by England, yet the myth survives due to, as Mr Jappy put it, “the machinery of Westminster, aided and abetted by the media”.
Ken Clark.
335 King Street,
Broughty Ferry.
False claim by Conservatives
Sir, – I did not know that the Conservatives were adopting Donald Trump’s tactics in Scotland and claiming the opposite of the truth.
I have seen a newsletter from the Conservatives that claims only the Conservatives oppose a second independence referendum. For the record, the Liberal Democrats are opposed to independence and opposed to a second independence referendum.
I trust the Conservative will now desist with such silly claims.
Anthony Garrett.
1 Royal Terrace,
Falkland.
A revealing use of language
Sir, – It seems SNP supporters have a new buzz word to describe their political opponents.
Joan McAlpine described the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s staff as “flunkies” during his recent visit to the Scottish Parliament.
Then Kevin McKenna refers to the Labour leadership as “flunkies” of the UK establishment.
As people we are judged by what we say and do, and how revealing of these nationalists is the derogatory nature of their language, exposing the base nature of their prejudice.
Gerry Marshall.
Thistle Cottage,
Kinnesswood.
Time to honour Paul Lawrie
Sir, – Your article about Scottish sportsmen who have had statues erected in their honour was interesting but I wonder when golfer Paul Lawrie will be added to this list?
Paul was the last Scottish-born player to win The Open Championship and that was 17 years ago.
I think the previous Scottish-born winner was Tommy Armour back in 1931.
Add to that Paul’s Ryder Cup success and his work with his golf foundation and I think a statue is long overdue.
Tom Fisken.
18 Wilson Street,
Perth.
Clamp down on rogue parkers
Sir, – As a blue badge holder I am unlikely to be affected much by the introduction of Sunday parking charges in Fife but I hope the consequent increased vigilance of traffic wardens will lead to better policing of the abuse of disabled parking spaces which seems to increase on Sundays.
Laurie Richards.
100 Crail Road,
Cellardyke.
Lorries to blame for pollution
Sir, – It was interesting to read your article that Perth and Kinross Council aims to tackle the poor air quality in Atholl Street, Perth, and Crieff.
I am in no doubt this will be directed at the use of cars by families and working people.
No doubt a lot of money will be spent on reports into the problem when it is clear the main culprits are lorries and buses.
Lorries making deliveries either cause tailbacks or sit with their engines running. Then we have the buses who sit in bus stops with the tail end of the vehicle sticking out, obstructing all other road users, leading to more pollution.
So before the blame is laid at the family car, or other car users, closer attention and action needs to be directed at lorries, buses and delivery vans.
Alastair W. McLean.
Ar Tigh Ceither,
4 Fletcher Place,
Crieff.
Give Donald Trump a chance
Sir, – “We’ll fix the inner cities and rebuild the roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals which make up our infrastructure, putting millions of people to work doing so.”
That may sound like President Franklin D Roosevelt but in fact it was President-elect Donald Trump and Aberdeen Asset Management’s Martin Gilbert is not alone in warmly welcoming the United States’ incoming leader.
Having been involved with Donald Trump in complex negotiations, Martin Gilbert rejects the gross caricatures of the veteran entrepreneur by “politicos and hacks” who have never met him.
Globalisation has created a plethora of industrial graveyards and an economic stimulus for these areas will be positive not just for the US economy but for the global economy as well.
Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.