Stopthepettypolitics

Lookclosertohome

The motion moved by the council leader on the plight of the 42,000 refugees on the Greek islands is to be welcomed.

However, he needs to look at his housing stock with in excess of 4700 people on the waiting lists.

The council only managed to build 60 new builds in the last three years and have agreed to demolish 234 high flats and, as yet, not explained why they are being knocked down.

Perhaps the Low Green could be utilised for a transit camp for those awaiting housing in South Ayrshire. We may actually achieve something rather then a soundbite and a press headline. Ian Stewart, Ayr

I had to laugh at councillor Jim Roberts criticising one of his Tory opponent’s ‘ lack of knowledge’.

As head of the planning committee, Roberts seemingly did not know the opencast assessor had not been appointed.

If getting a street name wrong makes councillor Leitch ‘ incredulous’, then we can only speculate how angry she is at the consequences of Roberts’ quarter billion pound blunder.

If you are going to be this petty, then you need to be beyond reproach yourself. Well you aren’t Jim. Your reputation went the same way as the restoration bonds. Grow up and then resign.

John Young. Kilmein Avenue, Patna

Wearebettertogether The United Kingdom is more valuable than ever to Scotland.

This year’s figures showed that the gap between what Scotland spends and what it raises had grown by £ 2bn to £ 15.1bn. The statistics only cover up to the 5th of April this year so don’t include the full impact of the pandemic.

That £ 15bn translates into an extra £ 1941 for every single person in Scotland.

These figures show, once again, how Scotland benefits from its place as part of the United Kingdom.

Of course, the value of the United Kingdom to Scotland isn’t just about money, but this is another example of how the sharing and pooling of resources between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, delivers more opportunities for us all.

Ahead of next year’s election, I want to have an open and honest debate about how we can better use the benefits of the Union in Scotland to strengthen our economy, improve our schools and invest in the future of our health service.

Brian Whittle, South of Scotland Conservative MSP