Latest PC burden threatens the thin blue line
the police have enough on their plates without being burdened with how to tackle poverty and inequality (mail).
their job is firstly to prevent crime and, when that fails, detect those responsible for crime.
Crippled by structural problems and with a full-blown crisis of leadership, Police Scotland is struggling to fulfil its remit to keep us safe – and now along comes angela Constance with a wheeze to make her look busy and virtuous.
I don’t want to hear miss Constance on Police Scotland – I want to hear Justice Secretary michael matheson taking responsibility for the chaos at Police Scotland. GAVIN HENDERSON, Falkirk, Stirlingshire. IS angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and equalities, empire-building?
It is the Justice Secretary, reporting to the first minister, who runs policing.
If nicola Sturgeon had any gumption, she would invite miss Constance in for what, during my time in the police, was called ‘an interview without coffee’. STEPHEN ALLAN, via email. the SnP always seems to be meddling in our daily lives, often introducing disproportionate policies, guidelines and legislation. Its ban on offensive singing at football matches and the hated named Persons scheme spring to mind, along with a new ban coming soon for smacking. for much of this, the SnP hides behind worthless consultations – a far cry from professionally conducted opinion surveys –
then falsely claims that its plans are supported by the majority of Scots, or there is a consensus in the Scottish parliament, or simply asserts ‘it is the right thing to do’. Early last week, Angela Constance told Holyrood of her plans to place a legal duty on councils and public bodies, including the NHS and Police Scotland, to consider how they can help to reduce poverty and inequality. Exactly why and how healthcare or policing have anything to do with inequality and poverty, rather than being dealt with by the Scottish Government, is beyond me. Miss Constance ludicrously declared that she wants two-year-olds to be taught about the concept of consent. It seems she and the SNP have forgotten the withering passage in last year’s Supreme Court ruling on the Named Persons scheme: ‘The first thing that a totalitarian regime tries to do is to get to the children, to distance them from the subversive, varied influences of their families, and indoctrinate them in their rulers’ view of the world. Within limits, families must be left to bring up their children in their own way.’ So, hands off our children, Miss Constance.
aLan WYLLie, Largs, ayrshire.