Letters: Police paying the price for compliancy cherry-picking

Brian Monteith ("Will politicians wise up to law?", News, October 29) should understand that our politicians saw fit to introduce the European Convention of Human Rights into Scots law in the 1998 Scotland Act and that being the case it is for those who use, write or enact all other legislation to do so in a way that it complies with the ECHR.

Having had 12 years to amend practice and law to comply, the police, and local/central government have chosen to simply cherry-pick that which they choose to comply with and ignore the obvious areas of non-compliance.

Scottish criminal justice is a minefield of conflicting practice and yet remains largely unexamined or amended.

Also, most government departments are, when questioned, unable to supply any evidence to confirm any compliance for the benefit of those whom they serve.

Most actions taken by such bodies are framed around ensuring that staff are protected from censure, with the public left to fend for themselves.

Surely the classic example is the police who in refusing to act against feral children reject their duty to victims under the ECHR, whilst using it to protect their own right to have tattoos!

Clearly if our law enforcers are not in compliance then challenges will continue and many will succeed.

John Byrn, Seventh Street, Newtongrange

Cameron should show backbone

DAVID Cameron would have us believe limiting the EU budget increase to 2.9 per cent is reason for congratulation. He seems not to realise that the EU is the sum of its parts, all of which are enduring severe cuts in public expenditure.

Incredibly, part of the proposed larger increase is for doubling entertainment expenses – including champagne supplies! If Cameron had any backbone, he would not only refuse any increase in our contribution but directly implement a reduction by cutting our present level of payment.

If that displeases the EU authorities, they can always throw us out, leaving those countries poorer than ourselves to finance the disgraceful extravagance of this modern aristocracy.

Robert Dow, Ormiston Road, Tranent

Cash chasm lies in Labour's plans

SCOTTISH voters are set for a tax bombshell following Labour's announcement of 100 million in new policies at its conference at the weekend. This adds to an already lengthy list of pledges, which amounts to 1.7 billion in new spending, at a time when the Scottish budget is set to be cut by 1.2bn.

This massive black hole in Labour's spending plans will require not only a rise in the council tax, which Labour is pledged to do, but an additional tax bombshell of almost 3000 over the next parliament.

Labour's new policy proposals, include no plans to cut costs, and filling this budget black hole would require a hike in taxes of 5p on income tax.

This double tax whammy of rises in council tax and income tax, on top of recent coalition proposals and the future increase in VAT, will hit already hard pressed Scottish families even further and is nothing short of economic lunacy.

Alex Orr, SNP candidate, Lothians region, Edinburgh

Holy day is not for holing balls

IN Date with History (News, October 30) you reported that in 1926 Baberton Golf Club decided in favour of the introduction of Sunday golf.

This, of course (no pun intended), was contrary to the best interests of the membership, for it meant a denial of the Fourth Commandment "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy."

Baberton Golf Club is not alone. Most golf clubs, and the major football clubs now provide sport on the Lord's Day, and are guilty before God of breaking His law.

I would encourage a return to the best spiritual practices and observances that made Scotland a great nation.

Donald Jack, Summerside Place, Leith