There was no codicil to 2014referendum
I can’t say I’m a massive fan of regular letter writer George McMillan - his right wing views don’t really match my own.
But I felt the need to mention two things in Allister Band’s rather lengthy response to Mr McMillan in last week’s paper (PA, Friday, January 24).
Mr Band states there was a “codicil to the 2014 referendum which said that in the event of a material change, a further referendum could be called for.” This is untrue.
There was no codicil to the referendum. In fact, in an attempt to get over the line, the SNP and Yes campaign put great emphasis on the fact it was a once in a generation opportunity (although I see they are now backtracking on this).
The “material change” promise was part of the SNP’s 2016 Scottish election manifesto. The SNP subsequently failed to win a majority in that election.
Secondly, Mr Band states: “What does not heal political dissatisfaction is to willy nilly dictate to a people or nation that they continually will be denied the basic human right to self determination. Even England’s colonies were ultimately afforded that.”
This is a fairly common tactic from nationalists to equate Scotland’s experience with those of countries that were once part of the British Empire.
Even the most casual student of history knows Scotland is not a colony and entered into the imperial project not just of its own accord, but with great gusto.
Without getting into an extended argument on the complexities of the British Empire, Scotland must accept and acknowledge its own role rather than simply blaming the English. We Scots were disproportionately represented in the empire.
A McLaughlin
Perth
I was born in Auchengownie, Forgandenny on June 21,1954, but have no memories of the place.
I have been to Forgandenny but was unable to find it or any information on Auchengownie and was wondering if any readers have any pictures of Auchengownie that I could have as well as any information on the history of the farm (I’m assuming it was a farm), and if it is still there and how I can find it.
My father, Angus MacDougall must have worked on the land there.
This would have been in the early 50s. Please help if you can.
You can contact me via angusfamilytree@gmail.com
Angus MacDougall has declared that e-cigarettes are “not safe” but are harmful.
Vaping is particularly risky for the developing brain, can damage babies in the womb and cause heart disease and lung disorders.
In our streets the vapers emit huge clouds of noxious fumes that people have to walk through.
It is not only vapers but tobacco smokers, standing outside pubs and restaurants, who are equally guilty and also throw their stubs to the ground.
The Scottish Government could steal a march on Westminster by banning vaping and smoking on our streets and Nicola Sturgeon could proudly boast : “Scotland under the SNP has the best ‘no vaping no smoking’ policy in the whole world”.
The public would love to see that and they might even vote SNP in 2021. Clark Cross via email