Up for discussion today: Gordon Brown’s economic record, morality and religion, literary festivals and a plea to live and let live.
UK will pay price for Labour’s fiscal policy
Sir,-The dust had barely settled from the spinning wheels of the Jaguar that sped Gordon Brown away from Downing Street leaving behind market turmoil, political chaos, and a Labour Party in disarray when the pundits began to predict his next career as a financial guru advising the IMF or World Bank.
Gordon is certainly at ease with bankers. His soft-touch regulation of this sector and admiration for the captains of finance is well documented.
Remember his 2005 gathering at Kirkcaldy where Alan Greenspan preached from the pulpit of St Bryce’s Kirk on the merits of unfettered capitalism?
The congregation came from near and far and a supporting cast of characters came from Bear Stearns and other banks, building societies and hedge funds, many now defunct or bailed out by the taxpayer.
Most of the principals of these financial institutions are discredited, some, under investigation, awaiting trial, or in prison and if not they should be.
Against this background, Gordon hardly seems qualified for a plum job in international finance. But Tony Blair was made a Middle East peace envoy, so on this basis Gordon seems a cert to strut his stuff on the world stage proclaiming his excellence in matters monetary.
Perhaps he could negotiate IMF loans for third-world countries a group that may soon include the UK after Gordon’s fiscal imprudence.
Tom Minogue.94 Victoria Terrace,Dunfermline.
Look back for moral inspiration
Sir,-Alan Hinnrichs (May 15) displays great diligence in finding texts in the Old Testament to justify his many prejudices.
In his somewhat rambling attack on my letter, he never once mentions Callum Brown, Dundee University’s professor of religious and cultural history, whose controversial viewpoint was the reason for writing in the first place.
However, both Hinnrichs and Brown appear to agree that the church’s dominance in the past has been to blame for many of today’s problems. Comparing conditions in Scotland in 1900 with those in the 21st century, now that the old inhibitions have been set aside, the professor cites the waning influence of religion as a key factor in an improved quality of life.
Yet sex crimes, child abuse and under-age abortions pose a growing threat, despite the innate altruism Hinnrichs claims as a moderating influence.
No-one would suggest that we revert to the policies of Luther, Calvin or Knox but the Christian ideals must surely merit a place in this post-Christian society.
When it comes to reform, it may be better to lean too far backwards than fall flat on your face.
Norman Allan.21 Stratheden Road,Broughty Ferry.
Regressive superstition
Sir,-Norman Allan (May 13) is clearly a golden ager.
He appears to believe there was a time, probably ending with the late 1950s, when there was no sex before or outside marriage, gays were quite rightly persecuted, no child was born out of wedlock and there were no prisons because there was no crime.
Everybody went to church twice on Sundays, never committed any sins, and always left their doors wide open when they went out to work in the morning, knowing there would be nothing stolen.
Except that it was never thus. The modern age means we know much more about the world in which we live, warts and all, without people being unnecessarily stigmatised by those peddling primitive superstitions about gods and organised religion acting to suppress dissent.
All the sins and problems about which Mr Allan complains have always existed and always will.
Fortunately, single mums do not now have their babies confiscated by the likes of the Catholic Church while themselves being thrown into the Magdalene Laundries for “correction”.
There may be child abuse in the home but it is now apparent how widespread and systematic it was in church-run institutions as well.
The sooner we kick organised superstition and voodoo into the long grass, the better society will be.
Alistair McBay.Lawmuirview,Methven.
Book events greatly missed
Sir,-Dundee University press officer Anna Day surprised me when she stated that there had been very little literary activity in Dundee prior to the first literary festival she had organised three years ago.
For 15 years, I have enjoyed the authors brought to Dundee University by Dundee Book Events politicians, journalists such as George Alagiah, Jeremy Bowen, Lorraine Kelly and Magnus Magnusson; crime novelists including Alexander McCall Smith and Ian Rankin and romantic novelists like Katie Fforde and Rosamund Pilcher.
Who can forget the wit of Alvin Hall and the reminiscences of Nigel Tranter and Dorothy Dunnet on historical fiction?
We also enjoyed literary novelists such as Kazuo Ishiguro and Salley Vickers as well as other academics and historians. At least 10 authors a year enlightened and entertained us and I am just sad that Dundee University can no longer provide room for the hundreds who came from Fife, Angus and Perthshire to this wonderful collaboration of town and gown.
(Mrs) L. S. Jones.1 Hillside Terrace,Dundee.
Live and let live
Sir,-I am appalled that we have small-minded people who have the audacity to complain about a disabled child’s pets (May 10).
I am wakened every morning by the dawn chorus at 3am to 4am in summer and experience bird song during the day. I enjoy it. If neighbours find the cockerels distracting, I suggest they buy earplugs and allow the child to have pleasure in her pets
(Mrs) J. Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.