Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – You simply could not get a more damning verdict on the Labour party in Scotland than revealed in the latest poll by YouGov.
Scottish Labour has been described by Scots as ”untrustworthy”, ”out of touch”, ”incompetent” and ”boring”.
This is not only a devastating critique of Scottish Labour but also of Johann Lamont’s leadership. Just nine months as party leader and she has spectacularly flopped in the polls.
It is little wonder that Labour activists such as Allan Grogan, a party member from Angus, disllusioned by the hostile poltical stance taken Ms Lamont and other party leaders on Scottish independence and further devolution have now taken matters into their own hands.
Mr Grogan has formed a group withing the party that recognises that many in the party do indeed support independence and this should be made known to voters.
If Labour wishes to regain its place as Scotland’s party then it needs to recognise both the demands in the country and within its own party for radically different politics, policies and positions that simply do not parrot the party line coming out of London.
With Scots rejecting both Scottish Labour and Johann Lamont in such a damning fashion, a truly independent Labour party is now required north of the border. Nothing less will do.
Malcolm McCandless. 40 Muirfield Crescent, Dundee.
Unicorn is a real asset
Sir, – I’ve just visited HM Frigate Unicorn for the first time and what a marvellous asset it is to Dundee.
I sincerely hope the city fathers are planning to include ”our ship” within the grand plan for the waterfront as it would be a magnificent tourist attraction if berthed next to Discovery.
It’s a pity that it’s off the tourist track at its current location as I feel it’s exactly the kind of historical attraction that most tourists look for when planning to visit another city.
Unless visiting City Quay, as I was, it’s more than likely that tourists only get to know about our other ship, Discovery and completely pass by an equally important piece of naval history. That’s a crying shame and something I hope the city council are planning to rectify soon.
If you haven’t experienced ”Oor Unicorn” before then you really should pay a visit when you can. It’s especially useful given our wretched summer as it’s all under cover and you can park right outside the gangway.
Ken Rooney. Ralston Road, Broughty Ferry.
More than just about litter
Sir, – My letter, printed in your newspaper last Saturday, has met with many favourable responses. I did , however want to respond to Mr West’s reply on Thursday.
Firstly, my letter was not a rant but a concern over the very future of the village my wife and I are proud to call home and not at all about the short-term cleanliness of the streets.
I am one of the few people, in the village who keeps his ”pavies” clean, so I don’t need a lecture on litter.
The main point I was trying to make is that Pitlochry looks shabby and run down. It will take much more that a dedicated litter squad to clean and restore the damage of 25 years and more of shop and building decay.
The point that Mr West also seemed to make was that my comments were empty, pedantic, nihilistic and rhetorical. Obviously he does not know me, my politics and my deep-rooted love of Highland Perthshire, its past, present and unpredictable future.
TK Millar. Broom Place, Pitlochry.
Commentary “laughable”
Sir, – I am no sports fan but it is difficult to ignore the Olympics. Am I the only one to be irritated by the narrow, jingoistic, almost xenophobic BBC commentators?
The disbelief and incredulity in the voices of the two commentators on the recent cycle road race when the ”Dream Team” failed, would have been laughable if not so disturbing.
And the commentary on the bronze medal won by Becky Adlington completely overshadowed the winner. The bronze was a brilliant achievement by Becky but she was soundly beaten. Before anyone says ”Oh just another nationalist whingeing”, I am equally annoyed by the risible attempts by BBC Scotland to claim ” a growing Scottish medal tally!”
While it is right to celebrate that many Scottish athletes are winning medals (though some Scottish connections are tenuous to say the least), these athletes are competing for Team GB and should be praised as such.
John Henderson. Roebrek, Linross, Glamis.
Real kindness
Sir, – It was heartening to read about Colin and Chris Weir, lottery winners from Largs, funding yet another worthwhile cause, this time helping an ordinary family meet the needs of a young boy who lost a leg due to cancer. A new prosthetic limb for Kieran Maxwell will make such a difference to his life and it warms the heart to see the genuine kindness and generosity of the lottery winners once more.
Tom McDonald.57 Durham Street,Monifieth.