Madam, – Oh dear, it looks as if your reader Alan Bell (Time to ditch independence plans, Courier, January 4) didn’t get what he wanted from Santa – or perhaps it was one sprout too many over New Year – as I’m not sure what merited his invective against the current Scottish Government.
Far from wishing a hard Brexit for Scotland it seems to me that the SNP administration is doing everything possible to alleviate the maelstrom of Brexit the Tory UK Government seems hell-bent on bringing to all corners of an increasingly dis-United Kingdom.
Yet contained within Mr Bell’s letter is a telling little phrase which might point him and others to the root of the problem – “money received from Westminster”.
Might it not be better for Scotland to be in charge of all monies gathered in Scotland through taxation?
Instead we are in a position where an increasingly incompetent and uncaring Conservative government unleashes Brexit on Scotland, which overwhelmingly voted to stay part of Europe.
Throughout the Brexit negotiations Scotland’s voice has been marginalised and Scottish MPs hounded by their opposite numbers at Westminster.
Contrast this to the senior Tory MPs who are angry at the power a small independent country, Ireland, has had in the negotiations.
It seems Mr Bell would rather the SNP, and perhaps by extension the Scottish Parliament, would just go away.
But to be replaced by what?
To be ruled by an inept Tory Party that has just awarded £14 million to a start-up company without any ships to ferry goods to UK shores?
I for one am more than willing to jump at the chance of an independent Scotland. How on earth could it be any worse than the latest Carry On film unfolding at Westminster?
Graeme Finnie,
Balgillo, Albert Street,
Blairgowrie.
Incredible healthcare
Madam, – I recently spent four days as a patient in Perth Royal Infirmary where the level of service I received from everybody involved was exemplary.
The nursing staff in particular were amazing.
Demonstrating infinite patience and tact in the face of extreme adversity on occasions. They simply took everything in their stride and carried on regardless.
I feel so privileged to be able to access such a facility at the drop of a hat.
Sincere thanks to the NHS and its staff.
J Duncan Moncur,
4 Elm Drive,
Blairgowrie.
Nightcap hit by drinks levy
I read Alex Bell’s column on Nicola Sturgeon (“Sturgeon is all but washed up”, Courier, January 3) and felt it was very fair and accurate.
However, I think one thing which Alex could have mentioned was Ms Sturgeon’s zeal in pushing through the alcohol minimum pricing edict which penalises mature individuals like myself who enjoy a G&T of an evening.
It was quite upsetting over the festive period to see these wonderful wine and spirits offers from the various supermarkets then with a sinking heart spotting the dreaded words ‘Except Scotland’ in small print.
The thrust of this was supposed to stop people drinking themselves to death.
It would be interesting to know what impact this has had.
It is a wee while yet but us oldies must vote with our wallets and remember Ms Sturgeon’s impact on our nightly tipple.
Ian Stewart,
12 Boyack Crescent,
Monifieth.
Time to ring the changes
Madam, – Before Christmas I unsuccessfully tried to order a DVD box set from the Dundee HMV shop and pay for it.
I was told that this would not be possible unless I gave my non-existent landline or mobile phone number.
Having lost many mobile phones over the years, I have an “immobile” phone which resides on my coffee table.
No number meant no sale so I had to go online and I had what I wanted three days later and for £5 cheaper. I’m not surprised HMV has gone into administration.
Thomas Reid,
52 Glenesk Avenue,
Dundee.
Education going down the pan
Madam, – I have several older, experienced, teacher friends.
Some are full-time but want to leave, some part-time because they can’t afford to leave, and some retired early. All of them can’t or couldn’t stand it any more.
The main reasons are Curriculum for Excellence, bad behaviour, and lack of parental and management support in dealing with it.
They’re too afraid of recriminations to speak out.
None of this is admitted by the EIS, John Swinney or, scandalously, opposition politicians, because they all supported, and still support, CfE.
Until these problems are publicly acknowledged Scottish education will continue to go down the pan.
Allan Sutherland,
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
New Year, same old disparity
Madam, – Recently released figures show the chief executives of our 100 major FTSE companies earned an average of £3.9 million last year, while those at the lower end of the scale took home a fraction of that.
Nurses carrying out vital work in the NHS are paid only about 120th of what those executives earn. The discrepancy between the haves and have-nots can only lead in one direction, to the breakdown of society.
Research shows that nations with the largest gulf between rich and poor are those nations with the greatest social issues, mental-health problems, drug problems and obesity.
At what point will our government see the light and put a cap on this glaring financial differential?
Archibald A. Lawrie,
5 Church Wynd,
Kingskettle,
Fife.
A city with new horizons
Madam, – Let’s get cracking with a really hearty New Year to Dundee and all its folk.
It is time to put aside all the negativity which seems thrust upon us.
Let’s have Dundee as the city of new horizons with enterprise, innovation and progress as the way forward.
Kenneth Miln,
6 Swallow Apts,
Union St,
Monifieth.
