Madam, – I write with regard to the article on vandalism across Angus in which Kirstene Hair MP gave comment (Anti-social crime soaring in Angus, Courier, March 18).
I am shocked Brechin was singled out.
Brechin has seen an increase in anti-social behaviour but has far fewer issues than other towns across the county.
I also note that Ms Hair referred to the Brechin Young Team (BYT), a mythical group.
It has been a year since this was sprayed on the Watson-Watt statue. By giving oxygen to this sort of thinking, instills fear in law-abiding citizens within Brechin. I fear that Ms Hair seems to be out of touch.
I would never condone anti-social behaviour nor vandalism. As a parent I take exception to Ms Hair referring to the young of Brechin as ‘brainless.’ She was in her time, one of these young people!
As an MP I expect Ms Hair to ask questions regards the reasons for such behaviour – is it a manifestation of socio-economic factors – and work to tackle these issues.
To describe a child as “brainless” shows her lack of understanding for the issues facing young people today.
My family has been the victim of break-in theft. I understand how upsetting it is to be a victim of a crime. I cannot fault the police in their action, when I rang 999.
They were with me within minutes and swiftly caught those responsible. Kirstene Hair MP wants to “see solid action”.
As chair of City of Brechin Community Council we are updated regularly by the community policing team with regard to the solid action being taken.
Police have been actively working with the families of these children, working in partnership to resolve these behaviours.
We have every confidence in the work of our community policing team. This MP would have done better commending the solid action of the police in arresting three for recent break-ins, and two youths who have been reported for the vandalism to the cathedral.
Mrs Jill Scott.
18 St David Street,
Brechin.
New EU poll required
Madam, – The Brexit farce continues to go from bad to worse.
The speaker has done something that has been obvious to sensible people for weeks by refusing to allow Theresa May another vote on her deal. She is flogging a dead horse and refuses to give in, causing uncertainty that could go on for years. It is time for the people to decide by another referendum.
Alister Rankin.
93, Whyterose Terrace,
Methil.
Underlying motivation
Madam, – As leaders of various parties at Westminster meet with the SNP’s Ian Blackford to discuss a People’s Vote on Brexit they should reflect on what his underlying motivation is.
Ultimately the SNP hope to engineer an excuse for a second independence referendum out of the Brexit process, without care for the impact on the UK as a whole, or Scotland in particular.
They have form for this going back to the first days after the 2016 EU referendum result.
Labour and Lib Dems at Holyrood agreed to discuss tactics with Nicola Sturgeon in the aftermath of the Leave result but only on the condition she did not make it all about independence.
Very quickly they realised that her reassurances in this regard were worthless
Keith Howell.
White Moss,
West Linton.
Sort out issues at home first
Madam, – In response to Martin Redfern’s letter (Work to do on immigration, Courier, March 19),while it is commendable to help immigrants should we not be addressing the austerity, child poverty, foodbanks and lack of funding for our public services?
It is all very well helping the rest of the world but how about sorting out the deprivation in this country first?
Or do the poor and deprived in our own country count for nothing?
Bob Duncan.
110 Caesar Avenue,
Carnoustie.
A mountain to climb on fouling
Madam, – It never ceases to amaze me the garbage which comes out of the mouth of Perth and Kinross councillor Angus Forbes.
Just over a month ago when the frozen meals plan was under the spotlight he said there may be a reduction in emissions from the vehicles delivering ingredients to the schools. May I ask Mr Forbes how the frozen meals are going to be delivered? Perhaps by magic?
And then, lo and behold, it was disclosed the council had made £1,270 from dog fouling penalties in the last year (Courier, March 14)
Mr Forbes claims this level indicates the council has got things just right.
If that is the case, Mr Forbes, I think your ambition has been set far too low and you have a mountain to climb.
D S Stewart.
8L Tulloch Road,
Perth.
Similarities to Windrush case
Madam, – Further to my letter about the people of the British colony of the Chagos Islands who, in the 1960s, were forcibly removed from their home islands so that they could be made into a US military base.
Since last week, I have been advised that these poor people now have another problem: those who ended up in the UK have fallen foul of the ‘hostile environment’ immigration policy of the current government, like the Windrush generation, and their descendants are having to prove their right to remain here.
In the distant past these people were made slaves on British owned plantations; then they were forced to leave their homes and relocate thousands of miles away.
The UK still does not accept its wrongdoing, nor intend to take action to right this wrong.
And it is now threatening to deport some of their offspring.
It is a sad situation, and one which I’m sure most citizens of the UK would wish our government to take steps to resolve.
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
No impact on climate change
Madam, – Effective, meaning successful in producing a desired result, could not be applied to the intention by the UK to help prevent adverse climate change by curtailing output of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (CO2) in particular.
Dr John Cameron, in suggesting that ending the children’s “school run might help in reducing anthropogenic global warming (AGW) (Let protesters walk the talk, Courier, March 20) ignores the relevance of simple proportion.
At 1.3 % of global CO2 emissions, even if UK output were totally cut by shutting down our industrial, home and transport activities, no realistic impact could be expected on the global climate.
Moreover, taking account of the estimate that less than 5% of the world’s CO2 production is man-made, CO2 curtailments could not possibly reduce AGW so as to offset the risks of climate changes.
The UK’s efforts to prevent AGW, far from being effective, are doomed to complete failure, despite the huge efforts and costs.
Therefore, repeal of the Climate Change Act is needed, indeed economically vital.
Dr Charles Wardrop.
111, Viewlands Rd West,
Perth.
