Subsidy riddle

The Conservatives have just started briefing that they will end all onshore windmill subsidies by 2020.

The SNP’s long-term plan for growing the Scottish economy is that we will build thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of windmills and sell the electricity to England, at about three times the commercial rate, when the wind is blowing. When it isn’t, England will sell us its spare power at commercial rates to let us keep the lights on.

Perhaps our First Minister Alex Salmond has some inside information suggesting that, after independence, England and Wales will never elect a Conservative government and he can thus rely on them paying us these “green” subsidies forever. If so, I hope he will let us in on it.

Neil Craig

Woodlands Road

Glasgow

The theme coming out of Rio+20 is that mankind should stop the use of fossil energy, stop the consumption of resources and return to a simpler life.

Green zealots say that measures will stop global warming and will prevent numerous deaths.

Giving direct part of the resources wasted on wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels and other green fixations could save more lives.

The latest buzz words from Rio+20 are “sustainability” and “sustainable development”. First we had “global warming” then “climate change” and then “climate chaos”.

This latest terminology is designed to confuse since sceptics of man-made global warming are winning over public opinion. It is all of a bit of a jolly at Rio+20 for the estimated 60,000 attendees who will enjoy champagne, fine food and luxurious accommodation, all at taxpayers’ expense.

Is this how they will save the planet? Stewart Stevenson MSP will attend for nine days although what he can contribute is highly suspect.

He will certainly contribute 1.69 tons of carbon dioxide and if you multiply this by 60,000 people one can see what a blatant sham Rio + 20 is.

Clark Cross

Springfield Road

Linlithgow