Sir, At this time of year some animals enter a hibernation period. It would appear the Lib Dems in North East Fife are trying to come out of hibernation, but I fear they may be better off going back to sleep for a long time.
After disastrous polling, throughout the UK, in every by-election since 2010 (including a humiliating 0.87% share of the vote in the most recent by-election in Rochester and Strood), the local Lib Dems have started to talk among themselves (presumably because they have so few activists “on the ground”). In particular, I see they are talking about broadband and have even launched a petition to seek improved broadband speeds in the area.
Would this be the broadband connectivity that has improved, in the past year alone, courtesy of the SNP Government? Every time I see a list of broadband upgrades in Scotland, I have noticed references to North East Fife towns and villages, something which I think is very impressive.
We may not be in the most remote of areas, but I cannot imagine it is the easiest of jobs to provide to areas such as Balmullo and Peat Inn, compared to larger, more urban areas that they could focus on, in the rest of Fife.
What this really shows, is what we’re used to seeing from the Lib Dems in North East Fife, however silence for years, then a sudden chirrup of noise. Is it possible there’s an election approaching?
They have taken votes in this area for granted for too long and now they are being found out for what they are a self-interested party that only appears interested at election time. However, I suppose a party that actively helped to introduce the “bedroom tax”, benefit sanctions and cuts to disability benefits would have good reason for staying silent.
The Lib Dems’ deeds in the UK Government are coming back to haunt them.
They have let everybody down with their kow-towing to Tory demands and have shown themselves to be nothing better than a yellow shade of Tory.
Michael F Troon. 15 Crawford Avenue, Gauldry.
Reason for low price of oil
Sir, I was not surprised to see Derek Farmer’s comments (letters, December 3) on the current low level of the price of oil, which he saw as justification to describe the good people of Scotland who voted “yes” in the recent referendum as silly. It seems he never stops to think about the reasons behind a situation before rushing into print against the notion of Scottish independence.
He obviously didn’t ask himself why the oil producing nations, who normally slow down production when demand falls, have continued to produce the black stuff to keep the price low.
He rightly points to the adverse impact that the falling demand is having on the Russian Rouble but fails to appreciate that the oil producers’ action is part of the sanctions against the current despotic political posturing of Vladimir Putin and his desire to stop the Ukraine from becoming part of NATO. Had Scotland become independent it would have been content to support the sanctions in the knowledge that when Mr Putin decided to get in line again oil prices would rise accordingly because the other oil producers would make it happen.
Allan A MacDougall. 37 Forth Park, Bridge of Allan.
Positive thinking is one thing
Sir, Positive thinking is good, but anyone who perpetuates the myth that the already much-delayed V&A in Dundee will open in 2017 should be challenged. There is still a funding shortfall and the initial projected cost must have gone up significantly. At best, building work surely can’t start until late 2015, making it unlikely it could be ready for use in 2017.
John McIntosh. 354 Blackness Road, Dundee.
How would he feel about it?
Sir, I am fed up reading John Cameron’s view oneverything.
Today (Wednesday), I feel the need to ask how would he feel if Mr Brown said such nasty things about him and his bigoted, opinions, as he feels the need to say about Mr Brown.
Joyce Davidson. 12 Hillend Road, Arbroath.
He warned of dangers too
Sir, With reference to your article, Hawking ‘pushing boundaries’ (December 3), this should have included Professor Hawking’s remarks concerning the dangers of artificial intelligence to mankind.
Notwithstanding the more positive aspects of advanced computer-technology, the increasing negative aspects are becoming daily more obvious, obsession with “computer gadgetry” is not only out of control but detrimental to society.
Computer science may well serve certain specific purposes but it is no panacea to all our problems.
Kenneth Miln. 22 Fothringham Drive, Monifieth.
Looks a bit like pot and kettle
Sir, According to unionists the burning of an effigy of Alex Salmond at East Sussex was entertainment.
However, the same Anglo-centric Scots are now outraged and find it offensive that a few pages from a copy of the Smith Commission report is set alight by a couple of councillors.
The pot calling the kettle black comes to mind.
Donald J MacLeod. 49 Woodcroft Avenue, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.