Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Dave Coull, in his letter, No need for all the gloom (December 7), makes a sweeping assumption about the voting choice of “tens of thousands of other English-born folk in Scotland”.
I find it difficult to believe that they will be voting for Scottish independence to a man or woman.
My wife is English and we have many English friends north and south of the border. I knew only one who lived in Scotland who might have voted for independence, but he is dead.
But I know many south of the border who, given the chance, would be delighted to see the back of us troublesome, whingeing Scots and vote en masse for letting us go our own way. They would probably love to see Northern Ireland and Wales follow suit.
By their reckoning, we Scots cost English taxpayers a fortune, receive far better benefits in the way of social and health services, yet do nothing else but complain about our lot and call the English for everything.
But for my English wife, if Scotland got independence, there would be nothing else for it for me except to up sticks and move south.
I am a Scot through and through, but I am British first, foremost and forever.
George K McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Firm guarantee needed to end gloomy fears
Sir, – Mr Dave Coull pleads there is no need for gloom over the terms of a possible Scottish passport following independence. However, he does not clarify if he is an official spokesman for the Scottish Government.
Possible problems were raised with Alex Salmond in 2008 and were promised to be considered in the 2009 SNP National Conversation.
Since then, there appears to be no Scottish Government statement in the press, on TV or online.
While such important issues are met with a wall of silence by the SNP, Scots who wish to retain their UK birthrights will fear the worst outcome.
Let’s hear a firm guarantee from the Scottish Government to eliminate all gloomy fears.
Angus Brown.Station Road,Longforgan.
All in this together?
Sir, – Headlines in the papers recently have highlighted the ever increasing divisions in our society.
On front pages was news of Remploy factories being closed, people’s pensions being tampered with and vulnerable people’s shelter centres being closed in the latest austerity measures announced.
On the same front pages there was news that the Duchess of Cambridge had the choice of several palaces in which to recover from morning sickness.
We’re all in this together? Rubbish!
Alister Rankin.93 Whyterose Terrace,Methil, Leven.
No division of the monarchy
Sir, – Apropos Mr Ian Gilbert’s letter (December 8) I should like to point out that there has never been any question of the UK the United Kingdom dividing.
It has never been mooted that the monarchy will be divided, only the parliaments.
The term “UK” has been used far too loosely to refer to what is actually Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
If in fact it is the UK that is in the EU, then there is no problem at all!
If, on the other hand, it is GB & NI, I would suggest that none of the constituent nations would have to leave, as all were included in the accession agreement.
Perhaps the EU Commissioners (and a lot of the inhabitants of Westminster) need a sharp lesson on Scottish and British history.
David Grant.2 Balintore Cottage,Kirriemuir.
Name with a bit of history
Sir, – Instead of lengthy and costly debates surrounding the name for the new Forth road bridge, surely the simple solution would be to name it the “Queensferry Bridge”, as both Queensferry communities are at either end of the bridge.
The original ferry service, which operated prior to the construction of the rail bridge in 1890, operated as the “Queensferry Passage” with rail links to connect with the ferries at North and South Queensferry piers.
Just a thought, but it may retain a degree of history relating to the original crossing.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
Furious at tax email scam
Sir, – I was furious to receive an email recently from, supposedly HMRC, intimating that I am due £550 in tax returns from HMRC.
The email asks the recipient to download the appropriate form which will give details of their bank account number and other notable details.
This is beyond belief as HMRC would never contact anyone in this category via email. Contact would always be made by letter. Please, do not fall for this scam.
Cynthia J Dye.2 Burnside Road,Invergowrie.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.