Sir, – Our world is constantly filled with tragedy and horror, none more so than the devastation caused by the fire at Grenfell Tower in London.
But why on earth would anyone want to use this catastrophe and tremendous loss of life as political propaganda?
I refer, of course, to the leaders of the opposition party who wish to blame the Prime Minister, plunder empty houses and create havoc in the streets, demanding the Government’s downfall.
In addition, they openly encourage wildcat strikes which would disrupt energy, transport, health and public services in order to bring down the legitimate government.
It is of little consequence how one feels about conservatism but we as a nation must support democracy.
The proposals from the defeated opposition sound more akin to those of Mr Mugabe of Zimbabwe as we don’t know if the plunder of empty houses will apply nationwide in cases of emergency or we might all be able to park caravans in the glens.
There are those of my own generation who will remember the last time trade unions organised strike action to bring down the Government and the dire consequences: a three-day week and devastation to the economy.
I am sure that nobody wishes to repeat the experience.
The Conservatives won a fair and democratic election and to submit to the demands of a defeated socialist party and their financial supporters would be surrendering to mob rule.
Alan Bell.
Roods,
Kirriemuir.
Cut down on packaging
Sir, – I used to have a garden: now I have a bin store.
I exaggerate, but I do now have four large bins and one small bin to find space for in my not very big garden.
And yesterday I received a calendar from the council telling me which bins I need to have out on the street for collection on which days, which works out an average of three bin days per week.
To sort everything into the right bin, remember which days to have which one out on the street, and have them out on the street by 7.30am is quite a task.
And that is not to mention the cost to the council of this multitude of bins, and of collecting them, and dealing with the contents, which ultimately must be paid for by the council tax payers.
Presumably, this same exercise is being carried out in every city and town in the country: a mammoth expenditure of energy and cost.
I am not blaming the council for this. I am very aware that the planet is being overwhelmed with rubbish, and am more than happy to do my bit but surely it would make more sense to cut down the amount of rubbish at source.
I am no expert in such matters, but clearly a huge amount of rubbish is generated from excess packaging. Surely government measures to make companies reduce this would be a sensible step. Perhaps we could have a tax on packaging.
Maybe more of an emphasis on curbing the throwaway culture would help.
The casual use of bags handed out in shops has now been very successfully curbed, but the trend for more and more shopping being done online has, I’m sure, more than negated this benefit, with every item needing to be securely, often excessively, packaged.
I don’t know the solutions, but it seems clear to me that the current situation is just crazy.
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
Parent who took a gamble
Sir, – For an instant I thought that Otto Inglis’ letter on June 20 was a joke.
If he seriously thinks that the childless politicians he mentions somehow have a more short-term approach than the parent politicians who have wrought such havoc over the last year or two, perhaps he should get out more.
He doesn’t need to look any further than the parent politician who called an election to appease his party’s right wing.
Jim Reid.
4 Colt Gardens,
Auchterarder.
Action to boost Scots economy
Sir, – The passing by Holyrood of legislation (June 21) establishing a new tax to replace air passenger duty in Scotland is to be welcomed.
The bill to create air departure tax (ADT)from April 2018, paves the way for the Scottish Government to fulfil its commitment to cut the levy in half by the end of this parliament, ahead of abolishing the charge “when resources allow”.
UK air passenger duty (APD) is the most expensive tax of its kind in Europe and impacts on Scotland, acting as a barrier to our ability to secure new direct international services and to maintain existing ones.
Attracting investment is now more crucial than ever as we embark on Brexit negotiations.
The reduction and ultimate abolition of APD in Scotland will have two key impacts – first, some international routes which are currently marginal and, therefore, not flown are likely to become viable.
Secondly, there is likely to be a price reduction for the consumer on domestic flying and the real possibility of additional frequencies. Research indicates halving APD will create nearly 4,000 jobs and add £200 million a year to the Scottish economy by 2020.
Without action, Scotland could lose out on nearly one million passengers every year, costing the Scottish economy up to £68m in lost tourism revenue every year.
Alex Orr.
77 Leamington Terrace,
Edinburgh.
Fears for future harmony in UK
Sir, – On Sunday night we saw what I fear to be just the start of things to come in this country, an attack on a mosque by a lone activist.
While inexcusable and unacceptable, are we to soon see a revolt by ordinary people for this and previous governments’ failure to take an effective stance on immigration?
Enoch Powell in Birmingham in 1968 spoke honestly about how the government were irresponsible to allow mass immigration and he saw the future with a sense of foreboding.
He even said: “Like the Roman, I seem to see the River Tiber foaming with much blood.”
Enoch Powell’s views offended the majority in government and ending up costing him his political career, but were supported by many ordinary workers fed up of immigration.
Nearly 50 years later, my fear is great for the future of this country as we have allowed mass immigration over the years and we have forgotten our heritage as a Christian country.
Our culture of political correctness means we fear offending immigrants.
I fear that Enoch Powell’s words may have been prophetic and we will see the River Thames foaming with much blood unless this country starts taking effective and decisive action now.
If it does not, it will have blood on its own hands.
Gordon Kennedy.
117 Simpson Square,
Perth.