A broad church

JOAN McAlpine writes a very lively column, as do most of your regulars, and it is very clear what standpoint each takes. If readers want a uniform point of view dictated by a faceless owner, they should try the Daily Moan and relinquish the capacity for critical thought.

On the other hand, while I disapprove of press censorship, these tea-coloured apologies for the highly suspect “renewables” industry should come with a warning, eg “and now a word from our sponsors”; “advertising feature”; or “don’t believe a word of this bumf”. As all know, you have but to chant the mantras “jobs, jobs, jobs… clean, green jobs” and the entire public will walk heedless into the trap dug for them like the Bandar-log (langur monkeys) into the jaws of Kaa the python in Kipling’s stories.

Though some times I think keel-hauling is too good for some of your columnists, that’s journalism, which propaganda from big business is certainly not.

Alison McAdam

Laing Place

Dundee

TAVISH Scott’s latest column (Perspective, 19 January) is, I suspect, motivated by his own political downsizing and coming to terms with his nickname, “the incredible sulk”.

His comments on the “politics of assertion” fly in the face of his own approach. Nailing a simple yes or no from Mr Scott is, I have found, more challenging than herding cats.

The First Minister does not avoid simple yes or no questions and must be applauded accordingly, whether we agree or disagree.

I once asked Mr Scott on BBC Scotland’s Politics Show, yes or no, did he support or oppose the Viking Energy wind farm for Shetland. He couldn’t/wouldn’t answer. So goodness knows how he will wrestle with a simple yes or no in Scotland’s independence vote.

Placing yourself on the fence may ensure political survival, but those who risk all do so on a historic scale and are remembered forever more.

Those who point-score from the periphery are often forgotten.

Stuart Stenhouse

Sumburgh

Shetland

IT IS bad enough that Joan McAlpine thinks that the Unionist parties are “anti-Scottish”, but now Allan Massie (“No place at the ballot box for expatriate Scots”, 18 January) claims that Scots outwith Scotland who are Unionists should be denied a vote for that reason.

The idea that someone who believes in the UK is anti-Scottish should not be allowed to spread. Nor should any credence be given to Ian Johnstone’s belief (Letters, 18 January) that there is a “deep yearning in Scotland for a solid change of scene”.

Some may have that yearning, but polls show that they are a minority. Most Scots are content with the stable and beneficial Union that has lasted 300 years and believe that Scotland’s interest lies in maintaining it.

Steuart Campbell

Dovecot Loan

Edinburgh

FIRST we had Joan McAlpine berating MSPs for being unpatriotic then we had someone called Tom Harris making unfunny videos as Scottish Labour’s internet chief. When I had a job I applied myself. Mr Harris might try to do the same in future.

And we wonder why no-one turns out to vote.

David J Mackenzie

Parkgrove Terrace

Edinburgh