Letters to the editor

SNP didn’t ask for referendum now

SIR, – If at the 2015 general election the SNP had won 35 seats it would have been regarded as a major success.

There was never any likelihood of them being able to hold on to all of their 56 seats, but the fact the SNP still has more seats than all the other parties in Scotland put together shows there is still a substantial number of people who wish to live in an independent Scotland. The SNP won 35 seats despite totally negative campaigning from the Tory, Labour and Lib Dem parties.

Theresa May said that now was not the time for another independence referendum. Nicola Sturgeon did not ask for an independence referendum now but for one between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019 when the negotiations to leave the European Union should be complete.

I accept that at the moment there is a majority of people in Scotland who wish to remain part of the UK, but do they really believe that those of us who fear for the future of Scotland, being ruled by this far-right Tory party, should sit back and do nothing?

I believe that when this disastrous Brexit has happened, more and more people will wish to live in an independent Scotland and be part of the European Union.

In closing I would like someone who voted SNP in 2015 and Tory in 2017 to tell me why.

W. A. Ross, Broomhill Avenue, Aberdeen

Let’s hope there isn’t a by-election

SIR, – May I echo and expand upon John Bain's letter (Press and Journal, June 13) about our wannabe McDuce's departure from office, for all the very good reasons noted by Mr Bain. Rather than the reference to not seeing “the last of my bonnets and me", he should take to heart the earlier words “but the Provost, douce man, says Just e'en let it be, the toun is well rid o that de'il o Dundee"! We can only hope that the SNP will not sacrifice some acolyte in a safe SNP seat to contrive a by-election to attempt his return!

Ronald Johnston, St Ola, Orkney

Car dealer really stepped up a gear

SIR, – In June each year, the Rotary Club of Aboyne and Upper Deeside organises and hosts a charity golf match at Aboyne Golf Club. This event has grown over the years and with the support of local businesses and generous backing from individuals and golfers from throughout Scotland, we are able to raise large sums of money for charity. As part of the fun element of the event, luxury cars are offered as weekend loans amongst the prizes.

This year the arrangements we had made for the provision of these vehicles fell through on the day of the competition. However, when our club contacted John Clark BMW in Aberdeen and explained the situation, staff there immediately offered to supply all the necessary vehicles, thereby allowing the event to continue with the same excellent offering of prizes intended. The speed of the positive response and the generosity of the support from John Clark BMW was tremendous and myself and organising team felt that this should be publicly acknowledged.

A huge and heartfelt thank you to the John Clark team – they stepped up without hesitation and have helped us raise even more money for charity!

Ruth Powell, president, Rotary Club of Aboyne and Upper Deeside

Council should get back to day job

SIR, – I am surprised to read (Press and Journal, June 16) that the Daft Ideas Department is still operating within Highland Council. The council is about to spend £10million of public funds on making the Longman dump site fit for development.

They promise 2,000 jobs will be created, I very much doubt this. When this site is fit for use I surmise the council will hand it over to a private developer who, no doubt, will make a substantial profit from this site, and will not reimburse the public purse.

When are councillors going to get back to the day job of providing the statutory infrastructure for the citizens of the Highlands and not boosting the coffers of private developers who could not fund a sweetie shop, let alone an industrial estate?

David McGrath, (chairman, Smithton & Culloden community council), Galloway Drive, Culloden

MPs represent all their constituents

SIR, – Congratulations to all the newly-elected or re-elected MPs, especially in the case of someone living in Peterhead, David Duguid MP. Commiserations to those who participated but were not elected, especially those who contested Banff and Buchan.

The challenge for all MPs is to represent all their constituents, including those who did not vote for them, which in David Duguid's case includes myself.

Despite believing in Scottish independence since leaving Waid Academy in June 1990 my first vote in the 1992 general election was for Menzies Campbell, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem. The constitutional position of a party or candidate has never been a number-one priority for myself.

The Liberal Democrats have never asked why I stopped voting for them in 1997, although they should be embarrassed about thinking about taking legal action over losing by two votes to Stephen Gethkins of the SNP in Fife North East. Surely, as a party that does want Indyref2 it is rather ironic that they should take the huff after being refused a fourth recount.

I understand it was hard on the losing Liberal Democrat candidate who should be proud of getting so close and move on for the sake of those in Fife North East.

Peter Ovenstone, Orchard Grove, Peterhead

When this site is fit for use I surmise the council will hand it over to a private developer who, no doubt, will make a substantial profit from this site, and will not reimburse the public purse