Letters: No-one's above the law . . unless you are the law

The other day in the Grassmarket, opposite the Apex International hotel, I observed a taxi driver being booked by two police officers for disengaging his passengers on the zig-zag lines at the pedestrian crossing.

Notwithstanding that the street's design is appalling, the driver was 'bang to rights' and he should have known better.

However, the officers' police vehicle was parked on the zig-zags on the other side of the crossing throughout the lengthy booking process.

Clearly the need for the zig-zags is so imperative to public safety, and it's wrong for the public to stop on them and obscure a pedestrian's view of on-coming traffic, yet okay for the police to do the same. How so?

This is not an isolated incident. I've regularly seen police vehicles stopped on crossings, even with the miscreant being interviewed in the back of the police vehicle, and for the lengthy time to do all the checks and paperwork.

I've even witnessed police parking on zig-zags in Raeburn Place while the officers pop into the shop for their snacks - and many more besides.

At bus stops, double yellows, crossings, dangerous corners - with no lights flashing nor apparent good reason - police drivers just ignore the rules of the road to suit themselves.

I'm sure we all remember the police car caught on camera breaking the speed limit on the A1, yet no Lothian and Borders Police officer could be found to have driven the vehicle.

So, why isn't what's good for the goose, good for the gander?

Jim Taylor, The Murrays Brae, Edinburgh

Scotland won't drink to Labour

LABOUR Party MSPs proved beyond any doubt that they care not a jot for the people who voted them in to the parliament, or the Scottish people, when they voted against the minimum price for alcohol.

This was just putting their own partisan interests before, in the first year, 50 fewer deaths; 1200 fewer hospital admissions; 400 fewer violent crimes, and millions of pounds saved in healthcare.

Nicola Sturgeon tried to compromise, but the opposition parties would not cooperate.

Their main aim was to see the defeat of this proposal simply because it was put forward by the SNP.

There was no credible alternative put forward, just a blank faced, donkey heels dug in, "NO".

I wonder if MSPs had to stand up and say "yes" or "no", would they have had the nerve?

I think of the words of Burns, "Wha will be a traitor knave". This they are to the people of Scotland, and the Labour Party of yesterday.

G R Mason, Edinburgh

This circus must be banned now

I WOULD like to thank Edinburgh MPs, Sheila Gilmore, Mark Lazarowicz and Mike Crockart, for supporting our campaign to ban wild animal acts in travelling circuses.

A recent scientific study concluded circuses fail to provide some of the most basic welfare needs of wild animals, such as space and social groups. It is widely recognised that only a ban can protect these animals.

Animal welfare minister Lord Henley is currently deciding on the future for wild animals in circuses. A public consultation earlier this year found that 94.5 per cent of respondents supported a ban on the use of wild animals in this way.

Some Edinburgh MPs have unfortunately not yet signed an Early Day Motion supported by 146 of their colleagues.

I urge Ian Murray and Alistair Darling to sign, and also to write to Lord Henley and ask him to introduce the ban.

Fiona Peacock, campaigns assistant, Captive Animals Protection Society

And it's only 9 months away . .

Never mind Christmas getting earlier every year; today the postman brought me a flyer for the Edinburgh International Festival of 2011!

Harry D. Watson, Braehead Grove, Edinburgh