Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Most of my generation were raised to believe that the Labour Party is the ”party of the people”.
What a laugh! Johann Lamont has now put paid to that myth.
She tells us that a future Labour government in Scotland will get rid of: free prescriptions; free bus passes for the elderly; free tuition for our young students and the freeze on Council Tax.
She said getting rid of Trident would not pay for these services. Then what, in her opinion, will?
The people of Scotland do not want and never have wanted nuclear weapons. Now we have the opportunity to rid the country of these unwanted weapons and use the savings to serve our people, but the labour leader says ”no”.
Ms Lamont says she wants an open debate but she had that chance before the Scottish elections last year and like her predecessor Mr Gray backed away from it.
The negativity coming from the ”party of the people” is quite astounding.
Neither David Cameron nor Nick Clegg has a mandate in Scotland yet because of the right wing approach of Labour in Scotland, the implementation of Tory/LibDem policies could still occur.
I suggest that several old Labour activists (including my parents) are birling in their graves as they look down in disbelief at what is going on.
I do not always agree with SNP policies, however, they are the only party in Scotland that is being fully representative of the people of our country.
The people of Scotland deserve the best parliamentarians we do not need Tory/LibDem lapdogs.
Mrs Elizabeth Fordyce.81 Ellengowan Drive,Dundee.
Jenny Hjul reveals her true self
Sir, – I have read many letters in these pages countering Jenny Hjul’s weekly commentary and at times I have vicariously enjoyed the corrections and challenges she has faced.
However, she revealed her true self in her column of September 26. In a thinly-veiled snipe at the hugely successful authorJ K Rowling, Ms Hjul revealed her own prejudices against success and the successful; displaying her true motivating spirit – jealousy.
Ms Hjul’s weekly commentary is nothing more than bitter sniping from the sidelines on whoever displays the ambition, passion, inspiration, creativity, or drive to make their life (or the lives of others) better or more enjoyable.
Scotland is awash with creative, ambitious and often generous individuals. Why choose to denigrate them? In my experience, it is often those lacking in talent and ability, who decry those who achieve success in whatever form it takes.
I for one want to live in a Scotland where everyone has the opportunity to make their lives better and where success and ambition are applauded and rewarded. I do not want to live in Ms Hjul’s world where you are criticised for your postcode and how you spend your hard-earned cash.
Perhaps Ms Hjul would prefer it if we all knew our place and stayed in it. Well, as someone who grew up in a council estate in Central Scotland – I don’t think so. The days of low ambition and lack of aspiration have no place in a modern, successful Scotland.
Dr Caroline Copeland.2 Kintail Place,Dunfermline.
We are indeed better together
Sir, – Congratulations to Europe on their sensational Ryder Cup victory.
Applying the now accepted ”Olympic Principle” I am sure the Tories will no longer ask for a referendum on continued EU membership. David Cameron will embrace the single currency and the UK will be content ceding the majority of its law making powers to Brussels.
We are, after all, better together.
Henry Malcolm.331 Clepington Road,Dundee.
Benefits are not “free”
Sir, – I am in complete agreement with Iain Anderson (Letters, October1).
Describing universal benefits as ”freebies” not only diminishes their value, as Iain suggests, it also infers that recipients are getting something for nothing.
Far from that being the case, most inhabitants of this country have paid for these benefits all their lives via taxation.
Just as politicians seem to have forgotten just who is paying their salaries, they conveniently forget that everything received in universal benefits has been paid for and is not ”free”.
It was Aesop, I believe, who said: ”We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”
(Captain) Ian F. McRae.17, Broomwell Gardens, Monikie.
Jim Crumley was right
Sir, – Jim Crumley’s article on badger culling was excellent. Charles Darwin wrote: ”The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.”
No human being has the right to decide what lives and what dies.
Humans kill animals for experiments, for sport, for financial gain and for the arrogant who believe they are superior to all living species.
It is little wonder that the world is in crisis.
Bob Beveridge.Old Townhouse,Falkland.