Today’s letters to The Courier.
Modern speculators have too much power nowSir, Governments no longer control their own economies. Neither can they act together to control the world economy.In matters of finance, whatever happens is now decided by global brokers and traders, who engineer situations where they make money no matter which way the markets move. Their fiscal power now overwhelms any government action.In the world of commodities, a similar position prevails. The price of everyday foodstuffs is largely dictated by the speculations of traders, who have also arranged to make money in the rising or falling of markets.They can control the markets by the sheer size of their trades. Other essentials, such as oil and raw materials, suffer a similar fate.In reality, the assets of the world have become no more than gambling chips in a casino, and the price of everything is set by those who play in the casino. If their bets are lost, the Bank of England just prints some money to cover those losses.And to prove that, another £75 billion of quantitative easing now goes to the banks, with the excuse that it will pass into the economy. But the banks will simply use it to patch up their balance sheets.For the powerless citizen, it will simply reduce the value of money.For the government to pretend that quantitative easing will help the economy, and therefore the individual, is an act of pure duplicity.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.Qualified to lead his partySir, Pundits would have us believe that the Scottish Conservative leadership election is a two-horse race between Murdo Fraser and Ruth Davidson.The more perceptive, however, like the BBC’s Brian Taylor, have begun to acknowledge that Jackson Carlaw is in with a very real chance because his leadership qualities are increasingly recognised.As one of the only two Scots to have served as party president and chairman, I know only too well how important it is to have knowledge and understanding of the party and its members, and the experience to deal with the many challenges of leadership.Jackson has that experience and an unequalled record of party service. Jackson can win because of his absolute priorities: to stand firm for the union, to develop policies which are appropriate for the distinctive needs of Scotland, to make the party an effective campaigning organisation, and to keep the party united in the face of the efforts of the SNP to break up the United Kingdom. Some may see this leadership election as an indulgence when there is such a vital challenge to oppose those who wish to see Scotland leave the UK.What the party and the nation now need is an experienced and principled leader. It seems to me that Jackson Carlaw is well equipped for that role.
Sir Michael Hirst.Glentirran,Kippen.Decibel levels on Clatto HillSir, I read with interest the article “Noise would breach guidelines” (October 6) and must admit I am slightly confused.It was stated that: “In a letter to Fife Council planning chiefs, the firm (West Coast Energy) insists that noise emissions would not exceed 62.9 decibels.” Further on, Mr Jonathan Crawley is quoted as saying: “The suggestion that West Coast Energy are proposing wind farm noise up to 23 decibels above this level (the WHO limit of 40) is completely false”.Given that West Coast Energy has stated with great precision that the decibels “will not exceed 62.9 decibels”, which according to my calculations is 22.9 decibels above the WHO limit of 40 decibels, either Mr Crawley has got his maths totally wrong or he is quibbling about 0.1 decibels.The wind farm West Coast Energy wants to build on Clatto Hill will produce noise levels at night which could cause sleep disturbance.
Stavros Michaelides.Wester Waltonhill,Chance Inn,Cupar.Murdo has the credibilitySir, If the Scottish Conservatives are serious about serving Scotland, rather than aspiring to be nothing more than a party with a declining support base stuck on the fringes of Scottish politics, they will elect Murdo Fraser leader on November 4.Murdo is by far the only candidate with the credibility to deliver not just a change of image and presentation, but the substantial change within the party’s outlook on devolution, how it approaches post-devolution Scotland, and policies fit for the 21st century.We need a party on the centre-right which will constructively speak up for Scotland, even if on occasion that runs contrary to what Westminster wants.That is a healthier approach to maintaining the union, which the majority of Scots still desire.His fellow contenders, Ruth Davidson, Jackson Carlaw, and to a lesser degree Margaret Mitchell, simply do not have the strength of character to give an honest appraisal of how ordinary voters perceive us.Until we are able to do that, we will not be successful at any level, and probably rightly so.
Andrew Morrison.Scottish Conservative candidate, Glasgow City Council,30 Clincart Road,Glasgow.
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