Today: questioning the phrase ‘work-life balance’, models of democracy, and advice for Labour in Scotland.
Redefining understanding of work-life balance
Sir,-I hear and read the phrase ‘work-life balance’ more and more these days as if work is not a huge and integral part of the lives of very many of us in terms of both time and personal investment.
Life encompasses everything that we do and it cannot all be pleasurable.
It is a process of learning about ourselves and others and work provides an ideal opportunity for this as it often supplies us with endless challenges which we can (or have to accept that we cannot) overcome with thought and persistence.
This experience is invaluable and can then be used to enhance the rest of our lives.
So would ‘work-leisure balance’ not be a more realistic phrase?
Sheila Phillips.3 Strathaird Place,Dundee.
Freedom of taxation
Sir,-What Mr Geddie (May 21) does not mention when he talks of Danes and Norwegians bemoaning the tax regimes in their respective countries is whether any of them said they would rather not be independent as a result?
I suspect we all know the answer.
Kevin Cordell.2 Nevis Place,Broughty Ferry.
No need to reinvent wheel
Sir,-Citizens’ initiatives, or mini referendums? Good idea, Alex Orr (May 21).
People would be more involved and we could do away with Holyrood altogether. Pure, direct democracy, as had by the ancient Greeks, who invented the concept although, to be accurate, it was direct democracy for an elite.
But what a lot of money would be saved if there were no MSPs, no fancy buildings, no expense accounts or subsidised restaurants and so on.
Of course, collecting enough signatures to provoke a referendum could be time consuming, plus canvassing to find out if enough people share a similar view to call for a referendum because there could be so many issues which could force a referendum.
And people would have to find the time to understand the issues, the pros and cons, before determining how they would vote. Plus, of course, the cost of running referendums on so many issues every year.
Then there would be the decision as to what issues were sufficiently important and the issue of what percentage of yes votes should be needed to make the decision valid and acceptable.
How would the questions be phrased? Plus, what would be the acceptable way decisions would be implemented?
To resolve all these questions and issues, we would need a body of committed, interested citizens representing the public’s range of views. Guess what? We already have. It is called the Scottish Parliament.
Mona Clark.9 Millbay Terrace,Dundee.
Democracy under threat
Sir,-The Scottish Government Reporter has announced the result of an appeal by Cambo Estates concerning planning permission for two housing developments in Kingsbarns.
The Reporter awarded full planning permission, with conditions, for 22 houses to be built on the field opposite the square and outline planning permission for 18 houses north of Station Road, also with conditions.
These applications had been opposed by the vast majority of residents, many of whom had registered their objections during the online consultation process by Fife Council. It was also opposed by Kingsbarns Community Council after widespread public consultation.
There was, therefore, strong local opposition to these housing developments which will completely change the character of this conservation village.
It is depressing to note that local democracy and local wishes can be completely ignored in matters of local planning once central government becomes involved.
It is a sad day, not only for Kingsbarns but also for local democracy in general.
(Mrs) Kate Holy.Chair,Robert Moodie.Vice-chair,Kingsbarns Community Council.
Labour needs brighter ideas
Sir,-It was interesting to read that Labour MP Tom Harris and other leading lights in Scottish Labour wish to copy the SNP system of using regional lists to ensure that leading figures get back to Holyrood if they lose constituency ballots. This will do nothing to save Labour in Scotland.
The reason the SNP were elected was that they were perceived to have done no wrong. If Labour wishes to regain the trust of the long-suffering Labour supporters, then it should produce policies that will attract them.
However, as a Labour Party member, I note that the fixers are still in charge.
Can I assure them that should my constituency candidate for Holyrood appear on the regional list, I will vote for someone else and I am sure that I will not be alone.
During the Scottish Election, Peter Mandelson was interviewed on Radio 4 about the failure of the World Trade Agreement.
His response was that while the India delegation in prior talks was in favour of free-trade agreements, it was now opposed because of their fear of trade exports from China.
If India, a country with an education service that favours the few, with no health or social services to cater for the many, are concerned over trade with China, where does that leave us?
We need from Labour some economic policies that will ensure the NHS stays in our hands, that our pensioners can live a full retired life without fear and that our young can get the jobs which will pay more that just the living minimum wage.
Alex Falconer.2 Greenacres,Kingseat.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.