Letter: Standing firm

We WRITE in relation to Joan McAlpine's commentary piece (Perspective, 1 February). The Centre for Public Policy for Regions (CPPR) is, and will remain, an independent, public policy think-tank. In undertaking extensive assessment of the policy options and financial challenges facing the Scottish economy over the last four years, we have been positively cited by all of Scotland's main political parties in the press, on TV and in the debating chamber and committee rooms of

As Scottish budgets tighten, our independent role will become ever more important as we seek to vigorously assess the policy options proposed by all of Scotland's parties and whatever administration is in power.

On the specific point of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, it should be noted that CPPR has neither supported nor opposed this initiative, never mind advocating any potential funding source for it. Indeed, the director of CPPR ensures that every publication CPPR puts out always concentrates on the economic merit or otherwise of the issue being considered; we do not bias our views to fit those of any political party of grouping, and we find it disappointing that instead of engaging in an economic debate occasionally others attempt to denigrate what we do by making false assertions as to who we are.

RICHARD HARRIS, Director, CPPR

JO ARMSTRONG

JOHN McLAREN