Transport spending debate is distorted by 'nationalist shibboleth'

The National

2 days ago

No use inflating the A9 into an argument for the borrowing powers that independence would give us. Borrowing still needs to be paid for. The issue, whether now or post-independence, should be priorities, not powers.
READ MORE: Why the Highlands and Islands will win from Scottish independence
There are certainly many Highland roads that need investment, but the priorities should be substandard routes where there is no rail alternative and where communities are suffering. The A83 – certainly. Two lane rebuilding of single-track sections of the NC500 – yes. The A96 – maybe single carriageway with passive provision for dualling meantime. OK, there's a parallel rail line, but some investment in the A96 would give first-time bypasses to several medium-sized towns, improving the environment and active travel conditions in them.
Unfortunately, the A9 has become (to borrow a phrase) a 'nationalist shibboleth' dominating and distorting debate about transport spending priorities.
Andrew McCracken
Grantown-on-Spey
READING The National's pages on the Berwick Bank wind farm on Friday, it appears that both Ian Murray and Ed Miliband between them have credited the Labour Party with ownership of the wind farm on behalf of UK Government. Wtf!
This is totally absurd! It was the Scottish Government that gave the permission for the development to go ahead. We all know that this energy situation is in diametrical opposition to Scotland's green energy ambitions. Surely another reason for John Swinney to listen to the people, grow a backbone and declare UDI for Scotland's independence cause.
READ MORE: Green light for one of world's largest wind farms with 307 turbines
And how dare John Swinney say that 'it is up to the Scots to realise the urgency for Scotland to become independent'. The Scottish people's support for independence has not only grown to a probable majority of more than 50% but they have been waiting, and telling him to get on with the job, ever since he became First Minister.
Along with the ever-increasing cost of daily expenditure through Brexit (and now Trump and his love for tariffs), the ever-increasing price of energy – whichever it is you use, whether oil, gas, or electricity – still remains under Westminster control, no matter how loudly Kate Forbes or John Swinney shout about Scotland's wind farms and net zero.
The only way Scotland can really benefit from its green energy is with its independence. Swinney say he has a number of reasons why Scotland should be independent. Hell's teeth. I for one have been telling him on these pages for quite a while several reasons, as have many other contributors. And there is no point bringing Westminster into his equation either.
John Swinney is saying nothing new in the article 'Labour's governing fiasco shows Scots the urgency of indy FM says'. International recognition is already progressing regarding the way Scotland is being treated as a 'colony' by Westminster. Any subsequent success will result in Scotland having the right to claim back its original independence from the 1707 so-called voluntary union.
Get real, Mr Swinney, and read about what is taking place outwith your Holyrood parliament. There are plenty of people with more expertise and experience than your own government and committees who are making inroads into what is possible for Scotland to become independent.
Alan Magnus-Bennett
Fife
WHATEVER one thinks of the Berwick Bank project, we can but hope the rights auction isn't botched like the ScotWind one was. That lost circa £15 billion to the public coffers, the equivalent of around £3200 for every adult in Scotland, with the successful bidders no doubt laughing all the way to the bank.
George Morton
Rosyth
DEDICATION
I WOULD like to record my very grateful thanks for the life of Andrew Rosie, who has passed following a protracted and courageous struggle with cancer. For those who did not know or benefit from his great contribution to the cause of independence, every morning Andrew meticulously scanned most of the national newspapers in order to provide an associated bank of letter writers with up-to-the-moment portfolios of relevant press articles from all parties and commentators. This represented literally a godsend to all regular contributors to letters pages. He continued to do this in the throes of his illness and I know I speak for many in sending sincere condolences to his family and our wish that he now rests in peace after his worthy and exemplary contributions to Scotland's futurity.
Dr Andrew Docherty
Selkirk