Same old story

As a member of the older generation , which in the past has been accused by Lesley Riddoch of betraying the future of Scotland’s youth by daring to vote against independence and of being so befuddled that we did not know what we were voting for in 2014, I cannot but be deeply touched by her recently expressed concern for us old codgers (Perspective, 22 May). It certainly makes a pleasant change from being told that the sooner we die off the sooner Scotland will get independence.

However, a closer reading of Ms Riddoch’s latest effort reveals it is actually the mixture as before – a diatribe against the Tories (of which I am not one) and the usual unjustified moral superiority of the SNP in dealing with pensioners. The SNP policy in this area actually consists of a list of unsustainable bribes to a section of the electorate. I have no problem if I am asked to contribute towards what I cost the state, and to assist others less fortunate than I am, while lessening the burden on future generations.

To this end I am happy to be means tested and see nothing immoral in restricting the universality of benefits. However, I do object to the increase in my council tax of almost 25 per cent, most of which will not benefit Edinburgh (which would be just about acceptable). It will go to subsidise the SNP’S vanity projects elsewhere.

I appreciate that in Ms Riddoch’s eyes this will be regarded as as a legitimate tax burden on someone who lives, in her oft-used phrase, in “the leafy suburbs “but I would not expect her to see the unfairness involved, when the SNP many years ago promised to reform council tax and base it on income rather than property and have broken this promise and, indeed, in the past have also increased the burden on OAP s by not collecting the significant sums due from poll tax evaders.

JOHN DONALD Essex Road, Edinburgh