Sir, Once again we have prisoners complaining about their “human rights”
This time we see prisoners taking the issue of not being allowed to vote in the independence referendum to the supreme court.
No doubt as well as paying for their accommodation, food, lighting, heating and televisions while they are in prison, we will also be paying for their legal fees to mount this challenge.
It is absolutely ridiculous that this should even be considered. Prisoners lose the same privileges as law-abiding citizens when they commit a crime and they should accept that as a consequence of their choices.
It almost goes without saying that the meddling EU is behind this. The European Court of Human Rights is saying a blanket ban on prisoners voting is disproportionate.
While this whole fiasco does not surprise me at all I am surprised that Alex Salmond is not in favour of this.
As he is desperately trying to get more votes where better than from a captive section of the electorate?
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Work towards max devolution
Sir, The media reported recently on the ongoing tragedy of the Irish economic collapse, wherein in 2013, an average of 250 Irish citizens were leaving Ireland every day to seek a better life and better prospects elsewhere.
This exodus is having a knock-on effect, particularly in rural communities, where shops, pubs and hotels are closing due to an increasing lack of consumer demand.
The other important issue is, with a decreasing population, how will the Irish Government be able to raise enough taxes not only to sustain Ireland’s infrastructure, but also to repay the massive borrowings that led to the economic collapse?
This is an object lesson for the separatists who continue to insist that Scotland will be better off as an independent nation because “we will get the Government we voted for” in total wilful ignorance of the risks to be faced both immediately, in matters of currency valuation and the costs of creating a parallel infrastructure to that which already exists within the UK.
There is no doubt that Scotland within the union has far more resilience and greater fiscal management options than will be the case as an independent micro-nation.
The Scottish electorate should instruct the government to stop fooling around and get on with negotiating higher levels of devolution. Taking a lead on the progressive de-centralisation of Westminster authority is likely to be supported by regions in the North of England and Wales.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.
No means yes to Scotland
Sir, The nationalists have started to disfigure the countryside with enormous signs about four feet high proclaiming “Yes” to independence.
No doubt these will proliferate further in the weeks leading up to the referendum.
I hope that the Better Together campaign will show a little more good taste and restraint.
The SNP seem addicted to spoiling the lovely Scottish countryside with ugly monstrosities so the decision to erect these signs is well in character look at the huge number of landscapes they have ruined by the erection of massive windfarms. Actually, I too will be proclaiming an emphatic “yes” to Scotland on September 18 and “yes” and “yes” and “yes” by voting “no” to independence.
Roger W H West. The Steading, Croftinloan, Pitlochry.
Let’s sock it to ’em
Sir, Joy has just been heaped on us weather-resistant men who wear socks with sandals. Fashion experts are now denying that socks with sandals are “naff” so we face what’s left of summer 2014 happy and more confident.
Just who are these fashionistas who strut catwalks or dictate what colour is “in” this season, or that men can’t be seen wearing socks with sandals?
Many faceless publicity gurus hidden deep inside Holyrood have been at work this summer. Their diktat is that the must-have 2014 fashion is a “yes” for independence badge and presumably accept Flower of Scotland as our national dirge.
I prefer to make my own decisions about any imposed fashion and so will Scotland’s quiet majority of voters, whether they vote with or without socks.
The strident minority simply following the political fashionistas will not be surprised that most Scots will vote “no” in September.
Scotland can’t risk the uncertainty of being out of international fashion in the years ahead.
Angus Brown. The Orchard, Station Road, Longforgan, Dundee.
Teetering over the abyss . . .
Sir, It would appear that mankind is teetering over the abyss! The ongoing hostilities in the middle east and the recent horrific passenger aircraft disaster are signal indicators of mankind’s inability to live peacefully together as enlightened human beings.
Surely at this juncture in our evolutionary development it should be possible for learned theologians, cultural leaders and politicians to pull together towards a universally acceptable way ahead for all mankind?
Kenneth Miln. 22 Fothringham Drive, Monifieth.