Letters: Those who have failed their constituents should go now

Edinburgh city councillors should be reminded that, “political accountability refers to the responsibility or obligation of council officials to act in the best interests of their constituents and the greater city as a whole”. Failing to do so should be grounds for resignation or removal from office at the next elective process by their constituents.

With this in mind, how is it that city councillors in Scotland’s capital city can even contemplate spending more millions of city taxpayers’ money on the horrendous mess that is Edinburgh’s tram fiasco.

We have seen the hundreds of millions go into the billion as though it were toy monies.

At the same time the reality of huge sweeping cuts towards all of the council departments means a poorer civic service to every man woman and child in Edinburgh and a fiscal burden that will be passed on to the next generation and beyond.

If those councillors responsible had been working for a private company, they would have been removed from their job, and whilst many councillors continue to put the case for the continuation of the shortened tram system, in my opinion this issue is no longer about the tram fiasco but about accountability and acting in the best interests of their constituents and the greater city as a whole.

Egotism and political arrogance have no place in politics.

Lawrence Dinse, Crewe Road North, Edinburgh

Sticking by trams shows courage

NOW the Labour Party have distanced themselves from the tram project, presumably to save their skins at the forthcoming council elections, it’s good to see that despite the widespread criticism Jenny Dawe has the courage to stick by the project.

Councillor Dawe has the honesty and integrity to keep to her principles. That should be expected from our elected representatives, whatever the public mood is at a given time.

Edinburgh needs strong leadership at this difficult time for the tram project, not councillors jumping ship to gain popularity.

This city has been plagued with doom-mongers and moaners with their village mentality for years. To halt the tram project would damage Edinburgh’s reputation for years and the money must be found to complete the line to the city centre and plan ahead for extensions as other cities in the UK are doing.

George Ritchie, North Gyle Terrace, Edinburgh

Criticism’s shorely some mistake

In response to Paul Condie’s letter of August 26 (Take more pride and boost image), I cannot comment on the state of the beach at Cramond, but here at Portobello the council is to be commended on the maintenance of the beach and promenade.

The sand is raked and cleaned every morning and the litter bins emptied regularly.

We also have the pleasure of a beautiful community garden by the promenade.

Regrettably not all dog owners clean up after their pets but this is a slowly improving situation.

Thousands of people enjoy and appreciate Edinburgh’s seaside – both locals and visitors from the UK and abroad.

Linda Kerr, Arran Place, Joppa

More than streets need cleaned up

Do the police really think that the best way to tackle one form of antisocial behaviour is through another?

I refer to your story of August 26 (Put it away or urine trouble) and plans for “edgy” posters to stop drunks relieving themselves in the street.

I am 100 per cent in favour of more action being taken to tackle this filthy behaviour but I do not understand why there is a need to use foul language to do so. Such language is unsuitable for public places, whether or not there are young people in the vicinity.

Surely the family-friendly version of the poster mentioned in your story gets the message across without resorting to cheap shock tactics?

The use of such bad language in official campaigns is just another sign of the fall in moral standards typified by people urinating in the street.

J Cleland, Leith Walk, Edinburgh