Sir, Hamish Carlton’s letter (March 25), in which he is critical of the performance of Nicola Sturgeon, hardly goes far enough.
We also have a recently retired leader of the SNPgiving poisonous interviews to journalists, including threats to “lock the Tories out of government”.
While it would appear that the loathing of the Tory Party in Scotland is based upon a very one-sided view of historical events of some 50 years ago, this view conveniently ignores the fact that it is the Tory Party which has, twice in my lifetime, had to rescue the UK economy after the disaster of Labour Government mis-management.
No-one can argue with the facts that the UK economy is the fastest growing economy in Europe, a major attraction for inward investment to the UK generally and to Scotland in particular if the SNP at Holyrood could pay rather more attention to economic planning for Scotland’s welfare and rather less to playing undemocratic political games and continuing to focus all of its energy on constitutional issues despite the referendum result clearly showing a majority of Scots wishing to keep the United Kingdom intact.
Small-minded politicians pursuing their own individual agendas is what we are witnessing from the SNP in Holyrood.
Such sentiments are entirely inappropriate for the prudential governance of the United Kingdom.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.
Poverty news is no surprise
Sir, News that young adults under 30 are now at higher risk than any other age group of experiencing poverty in Scotland sadly comes as little surprise.
They are also at higher risk of homelessness. While the overall number of homeless applications is decreasing, the rate of homelessness in Scotland is higher for young people than other age groups.
In real terms this means 10,794 young people aged16-24 faced the human tragedy of homelessness last year.
Scotland is in the midst of a housing crisis. High rents mean that young adults, especially those who are working and/or renting from a private landlord, are more likely to be in poverty now than 10 years ago.
To meaningfully tackle this crisis, for this and future generations, Scotland needs to build at least 10,000 homes for social rent each year.
Graeme Brown. Director, Shelter Scotland, Edinburgh.
A good turnout needed in May
Sir, I think one of the good things to come out of the independence referendum last September apart from the fact that Scotland voted no was the high turnout of nearly 85% of the electorate.
In the general election in 2010 the turnout was only 65%. That is unacceptable.
There is too much at stake for this country to be complacent a desperately needed in/out referendum on EU membership is hanging in the balance and a risk that we have learned this week, that Alex Salmond plans to disrupt the entire democracy of the UK.
With voting by proxy and by post very easy to do, there is no excuse for people not to cast a vote.
In Australia there is a $20 fine for those who fail to vote, something I believe we should consider in the UK.
It is a human right to vote but also a human and social responsibility to do so.
It would be an absolute travesty if the election was decided because of a low turnout.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Electricity export puzzler
Sir, Not being an expert on the mechanics and politics of the national grid, one aspect of the Longannet issue really puzzles me.
At the time of electricity privatisation, Scottish Power was the only vertically integrated (non-Hydro) electricity company which both generated a wholesale supply, and had a good base load of end-customers.
Now, as I understand it, the Longannet power station, which was there first, is being asked to stump up £40 million for the privilege of exporting electricity to markets in England.
Do Scottish Power not still have enough “directly signed-up” commercial and domestic customers within Scotland to utilise most, if not all, of the Longannet output?
If that is the case, should it not be the wind generators who are told meet the cost of having their electricity transmitted south to where a demand for it exists?
David Grant. Sunnybraes, Ladybank.
Amusing and very apt
Sir, Congratulations to Colin Topping, Glenrothes, on his letter (March 23) re possible traffic problems on the A915 should a new Madras College, be built at Pipeland. The letter was highly amusing and yet very apt.
The letter highlighted some of the fallacious nonsense pedalled by certain people who are determined to halt progress in St Andrews, unless it complies with their own delusionary and selfish opinions.
Robert Thomson. 35 Lindsay Gardens, St Andrews.