YOUR VIEWS: Thanks to Nicky Marr for exposing the hypocrites
It was a refreshing change to read Nicky Marr making a defence of the right to have views that she doesn’t share (Strathy, February 23).
So different from most editorials in most media; social or professional, where the great cry goes up – ‘I can’t stand intolerance!’
I read national newspapers who make no pretence of tolerance, and one that prides itself on toleration and even-handedness but isn’t.
The one thing I would disagree with is Nicky’s consigning Kate Forbes’ views to the dustbin of history.
Sure, there is history – 2,000 years’ worth of imperfect people trying and often failing to balance tolerance with a strict lifestyle at the behest of Jesus Christ, the ultimate tolerator.
And those views are alive and well all over the world.
But again, Nicky, much thanks, and for exposing hypocrisy.
Jim Crompton
Mac Bean Road,
Kincraig.
* * *
It’s so much more than a bookshop
Claire Candy’s shop (Minerva’s Emporium, High Street, Kingussie) is not just a bookshop it’s a place to have a chat (Strathy, ‘Awards in the air for the strath’, February 23).
I may not speak to anyone all day, but always have a welcome there.
Also, she has little groups who knit crotchet and have a social blether.
Best of all, if I need inspiration to choose a book she knows exactly what will suit me.
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We are so lucky to have her presence on our High Street.
Lynda Brewer
Kingussie.
* * *
Fair and balanced stance of Kate Forbes' religious beliefs
From a hugely one sided media attack on Kate Forbes’s Christian beliefs, it was good to have fair and balanced viewpoints from last week’s Strathy editorial and columnist Nicky Marr.
It’s indeed a sad reflection that, in a so-called religious nation, a Christian and a Muslim have to justify their faiths in the SNP leadership contest.
Both Kate Forbes and Hamza Yousaf are excellent political leaders and stand together for independence, the NHS and the cost of living crisis.
Their religious views should never be a disadvantage within the secular political process.
The endless cacophony of unionist media questions, whether Kate Forbes’s Christian faith conflicts with SNP policies, is totally fraudulent.
In accepting that her views are scrutinised she has said, many times, that following debate she stands by collective responsibility on SNP government decisions, as democracy demands.
In truth, the honesty of Kate is a gift to the vast unionist media who will continue to denigrate her and the SNP led independence campaign.
As the weeks pass the leadership qualities of Kate Forbes will develop along direct and inspirational lines.
In bringing a fresh, honest approach to the governance of Scotland, she will fight poverty and inequality, uphold climate change and human rights and above all bring together a successful independence movement.
Grant Frazer
Newtonmore.
* * *
More gas, less hot air please
Once upon a time, the UK National Grid was able to instantly regulate the amount of electricity it needed from coal, gas and nuclear generating plants.
The decision to shut coal-fired plants should have led to more gas and nuclear plants being built.
Instead, along came the Green Luddites saying wind was the way forward.
Over the last year, reliable gas supplied 41.5 percent and reliable nuclear 16.6 percent of our electricity.
Unreliable wind from 11,500 turbines is a miserable 29.3 percent.
Now there is a desperate rush to store unwanted wind electricity by building battery farms and by dropping weights down mine shafts.
The EU has classified natural gas and nuclear as green energy, so let’s build more gas and nuclear generating plants before the lights go out.
Clark Cross
Linlithgow
* * *
Unbelievable.....
It was striking to note that heralding the Windsor Framework, Rishi Sunak noted how Northern Ireland was now in an 'unbelievably' special position in the world in having access to not just the UK home market, but also the European Union Single market.
Ironically, this was the same privileged position that England, Scotland and Wales enjoyed until Brexit, which Mr Sunak supported.
Alex Orr
Marchmont Road
Edinburgh.
* * *
Save our High Streets, don’t squeeze them
For generations, our high streets have been the beating heart of our towns and cities, providing places to work, meet friends and access vital public services.
We cannot afford to ignore the real challenges now facing our high streets, and the need for government to do more to help them adapt and thrive in the 21st century.
Shuttered storefronts and ‘To Let’ signs have become a more common sight on our high streets, a stark warning of the urgent need for action to address growing vacancy rates.
Without immediate intervention from the Scottish Government – particularly around creating a fairer tax environment and reducing regulatory burdens - we risk losing these vital economic, employment and social hubs.
But while ministers should be supporting our high-street businesses and communities with targeted funding, reduced business rates and incentives to repurpose vacant properties, the reality is that they’re pushing ahead with new barriers to growth and investment such as the almost universally decried Deposit Return Scheme.
The Scottish Government should be supporting businesses, not putting extra burdens on them.
And ministers should be removing barriers to regeneration and investment, not introducing new ones
Our report found that there is strong demand amongst smaller retailers for improved support to build an online presence, and for the Scottish Government to act urgently to redress a situation which sees far fewer Scottish businesses online than those in England.
But a reliable online presence requires fast, reliable broadband, something denied to many communities here in the Highlands and Islands.
And despite promises from the SNP to deliver superfast broadband across Scotland by 2021, the reality is that it won’t be delivered until 2028 at the earliest, 7 years late.
Our report was clear; that our towns have their own unique identities and unique challenges, and that is particularly true in the Highlands and Islands.
There is no one blue-print that will work in every high street across Scotland, and what works in Fort William may not work in Kirkwall, or in Lerwick or in Portree.
But one constant is that we should be empowering communities by supporting and encouraging local decision-making and allowing local people and local businesses – those who know their areas the best and who have the passion for their communities – to drive forward projects.
We need a comprehensive and coordinated approach to revitalizing our high streets. This will require the cooperation of local authorities, businesses, and the Scottish Government, but it is a challenge we must embrace if we are to create vibrant and prosperous communities for the future.
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh.
