Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Exciting times are here for the electorate of the country, with the impending local elections followed by a promised referendum on the possibility of independence for Scotland.
However, I fear that the capture of the local elections on behalf of political parties who have sent members to all the airts to gain control of councils will result in the demise of local government.
Since the voters of the United Kingdom were promised a say in future membership of the European Union by Tony Blair, the matter has been ignored and postponed.
The First Minister now intends to deny Scotland any say at all and will assume a yes vote for Europe with a vote for independence.
Personally I don’t believe independence and membership of the EU to be compatible, but would argue the case for the voters of Scotland to decide, preferably before any referendum on independence.
Control of the councils along with control of Holyrood is the first step to possible dictatorship, as without the UK Government we do not have the checks and balances for a democracy not even a second house of representatives.
Be very careful what it is you are voting for, as there may be others with very different interpretations of your intentions.
Alan Bell.Roods,Kirriemuir.
Industry’s largesse is emerging
Sir, – Many campaigners against the proliferation of windfarms in Scotland have known for a long time that groups such as Friends Of The Earth and WWF have been in receipt of substantial sums of money from the wind industry.
But now the details are beginning to emerge, no doubt spurred on by the knowledge that when such groups were called to appear before the Scottish Parliament’s economy, energy and tourism committee committee, which is presently looking into whether the Scottish Government’s renewable energy targets are achievable, this information would have to be divulged.
WWF Scotland, for example, has seemingly admitted to receiving more than £22,500 in the past year from Scottish and Southern Energy.
Friends Of The Earth Scotland, meanwhile, has admitted to being given more than £11,000 by Scottish Power and even RSPB Scotland has admitted links with some windfarm developers.
Is it any wonder, then, that these so-called ‘environmental’ groups are so pro-wind?
Neil McKinnon.Tulchan Garden,Glenalmond,Perth.
Jute barons left plentiful gifts for Dundee
Sir, – What did the jute barons do for Dundee? It is disingenuous of Mr Gavine (April 28) to suggest that Baxter Park was their only gift to the city.
May I suggest that he revisits Lochee to refresh his memory and see some of the things that the Cox brothers did for the community?
He will find, for starters and most obviously, Lochee Park and the public library and swimming baths all still in use today.
What is now the Boys’ Brigade Hall originally housed a part-time school set up by the firm.
Thomas Hunter Cox (1818-1892) restored and renovated the parish church, bought and gave St Luke’s Church to the Church of Scotland and left ”legacies for charitable and social purposes and a property in Lochee for social and other purposes”. In 1886 he gave £12,000 to endow a medical chair in University College, Dundee.
Edward Cox (1850-1913) ”helped the Lochee day nursery to acquire larger and more suitable accommodation”.
James Key Caird gave the Caird Hall and Caird Park to Dundee, and there must be many other examples of philanthropy.
Alison Bell.Drumclune Farm,Forfar.
Classic Old Firm tactic
Sir, – I wish to comment on the behaviour of Ally McCoist, Walter Smith and Glasgow Rangers after punishment was laid down by the SFA panel.
What else did the Rangers manager expect from his demands that the identities of the panel be known, apart from threats and other actions taken against them?
This is a tactic that the Old Firm have used continually in bullying all clubs within Scottish football to ensure that they get their own way.
All Scottish clubs agreed to this panel and that includes Rangers.
In my view Mr McCoist should be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.
Alex Paton.47 Abbotsford Drive,Glenrothes.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.