Today’s correspondents discuss their opinions on subjects including defence cuts, Lord Young’s ‘gaffe’ and the SPL referees’ strike.
Sir, It is inconceivable that RAF Leuchars could be in the firing line for closure (November 22).
Many millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been spent on re-laying the main runway and building hardened shelters for the new Typhoons, which are now arriving.
Leuchars has already been designated as a Typhoon main base for the defence of northern Britain.
To waste the resources already in place for these new warplanes would be criminally indefensible.
George Cormack.McLauchlan Rise,Aberdour.Scaremongering on defence cutsSir, I have to say I find headlines suggesting that RAF Leuchars may be under threat of closure quite irresponsible (November 22).
I have heard numerous statements down the years that stated quite categorically the only threat to Scottish defence jobs was Scottish independence.
As Scotland is not independent, these jobs, as well as those in Moray and on the Clyde, must surely be secure.
To suggest otherwise would be to imply that Scottish unionists have misled and scaremongered the Scottish public and that London unionists are betraying the Scottish military. That is hardly credible is it?
Kevin Cordell.2 Nevis Place,Broughty Ferry.We may regret Ryanair refusalSir, A few years ago RAF Strike Command “deemed commercial flights from Leuchars unfeasible” and proposals from Ryanair and easyJet were binned.
Instead, RAF business managers made a forlorn effort to promote the more socially acceptable use of the base by the “niche” US golf and corporate market.
Now the UK Government is seriously considering the closure of Leuchars as an alternative to shutting Lossiemouth and Marham in Norfolk.
There must be a few people in Fife today wishing that the RAF could have braced itself to discuss proposals with Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Michael O’Leary.
(Dr) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.MP inflamed refs’ disputeSir, I look forward to hearing MP Peter Wishart’s views on the SPL referees’ strike a strike which Mr Wishart contributed to.
His ludicrous proposition that referees be forced to announce which team they support heaped misery on to our referees who were already facing a firestorm of criticism this season.
It was inflammatory for someone in his position to call into question the integrity of football referees.
Criticism from fans comes with the territory and referees need a thick skin.
However, when people who should be voices of moderation come up with such ill-conceived ideas, I can see how it was the last straw. Mr Wishart saw an opportunity to jump on to a bandwagon for self-promotion. He has scored a spectacular own goal.
Stewart Whyte.25 Crombie Acres,Westhill.Scotland differs from IrelandSir, George McMillan (November 20), in attempting to prove that Scotland could not be independent, cites the case of Ireland.
He has got it completely wrong. Ireland does not export gas, oil or electricity.
Neither does England and Liechtenstein (population 76,000). This is another example of the invincible ignorance of the electorate.
Gerry McGuigan.24 Forebank Road,Dundee.Tory Party ‘mask’ slipsSir, The comments by Lord Young about a so-called recession and people “never having had it so good” was not a gaffe.
It was the true face of the Tory party. The Tories regard those in poverty as being there through laziness. Lord Young was right in one sense the bosses and bankers have never had it so good.
Record profits and bonuses, paid for courtesy of ripping off the consumer and milking the taxpayer.
David Cameron has tried to change the image of the Tories from being a “nasty” party. Lord Young has well and truly torn the mask off.
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace,Dundee.Jesus was no politicianSir, K. J. MacDougall (November 20) believes that Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple because He was not a Conservative (November 20).
This interpretation gives Jesus a political stance which suits the rest of the letter, yet is unjustifiable. Jesus, to the disappointment of some people, did not become the political leader for which Israel was hoping.
Despite the injustices of the day, Jesus focused on changing people from the inside out. As a result, many did not recognise Him. The real reason Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple is given in Mark chapter 11, verse 17.
Jesus taught the people, “Is it not written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves.”
Stuart Wishart.12 Walnut Grove,Blairgowrie.Help Perth’s needy citizensSir, I am afraid I agree with Margaretha Linacre (November 22) about the “derelicts” in Perth.
On a visit to my native Tayside this summer I spent a long weekend in Perth.
Perth is as attractive and prosperous as ever but it has a disproportionately high level of social problems. Perth has more beggars, alcoholics and drug users per capita in the centre than Dundee or any city I have come across in England. These people need urgent help and care.
William Robertson.Greenford,Middlesex.
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