The Courier’s week ends with discussion of global warming, a defence of 4x4s in the big freeze and criticism of the SNP’s hopes for independence and the financial powers of the Scotland Bill.
Hot or cold it’s all global warming! Sir, – I write to express my agreement with your correspondent Bill Duthie’s views on the folly of the global warming theory.
Unfortunately we have all been well and truly softened up and to the green lobby denying global warming is as bad as denying the Holocaust.
For years we’ve been told that one of the “paradoxical” effects of global warming is likely to be colder winters (no, I don’t get it either) which sounds remarkably like heads I win, tails you lose. “If it gets warmer, it’s global warming, if it gets colder it’s global warming, if it rains too much it’s global warming, if it doesn’t rain enough it’s global warming” and so on, ad infinitum.
In the meantime our greatest asset, our landscape, is ruined by subsidised wind turbines. How much power have they produced over the last week or so?
Most worryingly of all the Scottish Government, of which I’m generally a supporter, seems to be living in some sort of green, nuclear-free, tree-hugging cloud cuckoo land and ignoring the increasingly strident warnings that the lights are going to go out. Wouldn’t that be a laugh in the current conditions?
Dr David B. Griffiths.41 Haston Crescent,Perth.
In defence of 4×4 vehicles
Sir, – It was not so long ago there was an outcry over the fuel-guzzling 4×4.
During the course of this icy week, many will now see and perhaps realise that this very same vehicle has been the saviour of many a poor motorist driving rear- or front-wheel drive only who has become trapped.
Many being given a lift to work in a 4×4 now realise the worth of such a vehicle.
Many mothers have purchased their own 4×4 realising that it offers greater protection to themselves and their children in the event of an accident, and inspires greater confidence in their driving in icy conditions.
If everybody was driving a 4×4 now, the roads would move much better, people would travel and not be deterred by police and commercial radio telling them not to travel unless absolutely necessary, businesses would benefit and this is borne out in Norway and Sweden where people are encouraged to go about business as usual.
What is the point of employees of shops and other businesses struggling to make it to work, then police telling everybody not to venture out unless necessary? Nearly all roads are passable with care but as a nation we still cannot handle snowfall.
We had better learn quickly. It may well be that climate change will see our winters become more severe and the 4×4 will become the vehicle of choice and as a result the road tax they attract should be reviewed.
Graham Wise.17 Castleroy Road,Broughty Ferry.
SNP’s dreams are unrealistic
Sir, – Unlike Gordon Wilson, I am not amused by the sad prospect of Scotland’s plight (letters, December 1).
Now that Iceland and Ireland seem unlikely candidates as shining examples of prosperous independent states for the SNP to hold up, Mr Wilson falls back on Norway.
One crucial difference is that Norway is not a member of the EU, whereas the SNP wishes an independent Scotland to have much closer ties with the EU than the UK has. And look what the EU has done for Ireland!
And what of the folly of this SNP-led government in rejecting nuclear power? With the Nats’ crazy belief in the limitless capabilities of wind, wave and hydro power, plus a future Scotland’s close links with the wasteful EU, Scotland’s prospects are dire indeed unless we reject the SNP at the ballot box.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Proposals don’t go far enough
Sir, – While moves to devolve more powers to the Scottish Parliament through the Scotland Bill are to be welcomed, the financial powers are far too limited.
This tinkering will fail to boost economic recovery and support long-term growth. It will in fact lead to a budgetary reduction.
From April 2016, Holyrood will set a Scottish income tax rate each year, applying equally to the basic, higher and additional rates. This would be accompanied by a reduction of 35% in the Scottish budget Treasury grant. At the same time, the main UK rates of income tax will be reduced by 10p.
Scottish ministers would then have the freedom to set a rate either below or above the rest of the UK. The bill suggest the new tax represents “a significant funding stream” with a 1p increase in the rate currently yielding £450 million the equivalent of 1.7% of the current Scottish budget
These are more powers than the 3p adjustment voted on in 1997. Given the fact the 3p adjustment necessitated a referendum question, it is only right and proper that the Scotland Bill proposals should also be put to the electorate in a referendum.
Alex Orr.77 Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh.
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.