Danger on our doorstep

The recent failure of a test firing of a Trident missile, coupled with the cover up of the rogue trajectory that it took, only serves to underline the folly of having this weapon located on Renfrewshire’s doorstep.

Far from keeping us safe, this doomsday weapon system only makes the River Clyde a target in the event of the unthinkable nuclear conflict and, if it cannot be relied upon even to go in the right direction, then the danger is greatly magnified.

We are told the missile had no warhead and we must accept that.

But, even without a warhead, if it had landed in our town, it would have been catastrophic.

If it does not go where it should, then there is no justification for having it, and that justification was always very shallow.

We wonder how many other test failures it has had which have also been covered-up and, unlike this one, have never seen the light of day.

This weapon system should be removed from our waters as soon as it can be safely decommissioned, rather than the current policy, which is to spend billions of pounds we can ill afford on its renewal.

The policy of the SNP that we simply move it elsewhere while continuing to shelter under the nuclear umbrella of the NATO Alliance only serves to make their moral outrage complete hypocrisy. John Miller Scottish Socialist Party Renfrewshire Branch

Protectbuspasses

I read with some dismay today that the Scottish Government is consulting about the national concessionary bus passes, which allows those with disabilities and adults over 60 the freedom to travel without the worry of rising costs.

One of the options may be to raise the age of entitlement to 70.

This will have a huge impact on many pensioners who have contributed to the state in a paid or unpaid capacity during their life.

The reason being mooted is cuts by Westminster and those affected are being urged to participate in the consultation.

Who will respond though ... as many older people may find it difficult to access a computer?

Although we are living longer, there is a difference between being able to travel independently between the ages of 60 and 70.

With cuts to services, the concession card allows people freedom about not worrying about the spiralling cost of public transport.

Free public transport for the over-60s is a benchmark of decency.

I hope that those who will be impacted on are listened to.

Their voices are the most important ones. Sandra Webster Scottish Socialist Party Renfrewshire Branch