No tolerance for trolling Scotland

Sir, – Jenny Hjul (Old politics after lockdown, Courier, May 20) either fails to grasp the concept of devolution or is manipulating the slight divergence from England in order to politically attack the Scottish nationalists during the present health crisis.

Her previous output suggests the latter.

Ms Hjul’s mantra of London knows best would be more credible if the English Tory government’s response to Covid-19 hadn’t been one of serial incompetence.

She also uses her column to claim that Great Britain alone is economically supporting us in a time of need.

Something apparently an independent Scotland would fail to do.

Once again she ignored the reality of Scotland-sized countries doing just that.

BBC4 is currently broadcasting the Norwegian drama, A State Of Happiness, which explores the country’s path to prosperity after its discovery of oil.

In Norwegian folklore a “troll” is a creature used to frighten children at bedtime.

In modern parlance, “trolling” is the act of making random comments with the intent to engage in a fight or argument.

The BBC are just one of the conduits used by the British state to convince Scots of our historical penury, yet see no contradiction in bringing this series to our living rooms.

How long Scots will continue to tolerate being trolled will soon be tested by another independence referendum, with taking back control the only positive outcome.

Ken Clark. c/o 15 Thorter Way, Dundee. shortage of temporary workers.

From the perspective of my granddaughter, a student about to enter university this year, the reality presents a different and frustrating picture which is also experienced by many of her friends.

In March she applied for work in several fruit farms in Angus.

Only one farm replied, offering her work with a starting date in May.

That date has arrived, but no response had been made by the farm to her calls for the further details that were promised.

A final call today resulted in her being told to re-submit her application. The farm manager indicated he could not be expected to reply to all inquiries as over 3,000 had applied.

All of this is very dispiriting to those seeking work.

While it is understandable that farmers might wish to give preference to experienced fruitpickers from abroad who have been regular workers, and who will occupy otherwise empty accommodation on the farms, it is nevertheless hugely irritating to read constant reports about a shortage of labour while job applicants from the local area appear to be both numerous and ignored.

If in fact there is a shortage of workers, then our young people should be given the chance to show they can respond to the challenge laid down by Prince Charles and the government to “bring the harvest in”.

MF Baughan. 6 Shepherd’s Road, Newport-on-Tay.