Today our correspondents discuss the union, Scots’ profligacy, the energy companies, the failure of wind power and the Tory party.
We need UK solidarity now more than ever Sir, Gordon Wilson (letters, December 1), citing North Sea oil, might like to consider this (hypothetical) scenario.
Just outside Newcastle they have discovered reserves of gold that make the “north-eastern gold fields” the largest in the world. Northumbrian political groups spring up, invoking times centuries past when the area enjoyed a proud independence; their slogan is “it’s Northumbria’s gold.”
The moral is that a little less selfishness is in order at the present time, not least since Scottish-based banks have made such a contribution to bringing the UK economy to its knees.
Remember, Scotland voluntarily surrendered its independence in 1707 in the wake of another home-grown economic disaster, and that the English and Scottish economies were intertwined, no doubt for mutual benefit, through 250 and more years before North Sea oil came on tap.
Far better that we remain “all in it together.”
David Riches.Bankwell Road,Anstruther.
Scots’ profligacy well documented
Sir, I was amused to read Gordon Wilson’s letter suggesting an independent Scotland could have survived the financial storm with a sovereign wealth fund.
He does not have to guess if a Scottish government would have been as reckless as a UK one, as the 900% overspend on the parliament building illustrates Scottish political profligacy.
Perhaps he needs a further example, the proposed new Forth road bridge will be one of the most expensive river crossings on the planet and that’s before the inevitable cost overruns we have to expect on any publicly-funded project, eg Edinburgh’s trams, Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games.
Mr Wilson would do well to consider just how wealthy someone really is who borrows more than they can afford to repay to buy an over-priced asset. That would be Ireland’s problem, the economy Mr Salmond would like to have emulated.
Scotland will not have the opportunity to establish a sovereign wealth fund now, so it is utterly pointless to discuss what might have been.
There is, however, a very good reason to consider the effects of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy on the waters around the country and the decimation of our fishing industry since we became subject to it.
More British workers lost their jobs in the fishing industry than from closing mines, yet none of our politicians seems troubled by that fact. Greenland recognised the disadvantages of EU membership in the 1980s and left perhaps Scotland’s future would be brighter if we did so too.
That would be real independence.
Hamish Hossick.3 Avondale Terrace,Broughty Ferry.
High price of energy profits
Sir, The price being paid by many of the most vulnerable in Scotland for the blatant profiteering of utility companies brings shame on our nation.
Not only do individuals and families have to suffer cold, damp, ill-health and hunger, it also costs Scots their lives. Profiteering must be investigated and stamped out.
Fuel is too expensive and we need too much fuel to heat our homes.
Shelter Scotland welcomes the fact Ofgem is turning the heat back on to energy companies to pressure them into moderating pricing and to ensure consumers especially the most vulnerable are treated more fairly.
The Scottish Government can help by prioritising the building of new energy-efficient housing and raising the standard of existing housing stock.
Gordon MacRae.Head of Communications & Policy,Shelter Scotland.
Wind turbines’ feeble output
Sir, The Neta website earlier this week indicated the 3000 or so wind turbines disfiguring our countryside were averaging only 0.9% of total electricity demand and had not been providing very much more for several days.
If now the unthinking activists in “green” pressure groups manage to shut down some or all of our coal and nuclear power plants, or if Chris Huhne our Energy Minister fails to build replacements in time, how are we all going to cope with the inevitable tsunami of electricity black-outs?
William Oxenham.Currie,Edinburgh.
Tories show true colours
Sir, A leopard cannot change its spots, and neither can the Tory party.
The Tories have only been in power for six months and we have already witnessed savage cuts in public services, demonstrations and riots on our streets and all-too-familiar attacks by rich Tory politicians on the poor for just being poor.
Once more under the Tories we have political rancour, social division, ideological arrogance and a personal nastiness towards those less fortunate in society that beggars belief.
If people are to suffer an age of austerity due to the economic incompetence of the previous Labour government and the greed of City speculators then it must be blindingly obvious such a heavy burden cannot be carried by ordinary people under the uncaring eyes of Tory ministers.
That will simply lead to more social and political strife.
Malcolm McCandless.40 Muirfield Crescent,Dundee.
Let Rambler face some cold facts
Sir, I note the Naked Rambler has yet again been sent back to prison for refusing to leave Perth Prison last autumn wearing clothes. His sentence 15 months and 26 days.
This is a big mistake it means he will be vacating Perth Prison in the spring.
Why was he not sentenced to just say 12 months? That would mean he would exit Perth Prison next year in the height of winter and who could wander naked in this weather? End of problem!
Bob Wilson.39 Maule Street,Monifieth.
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