THE logical connection in Michael Fry’s idea that raising corporate taxes threatens indy escapes me (We’ll not win indyref2 if we put up taxes and discourage growth, The National, October 3).
The only thing that raising taxes threatens is unlimited corporate greed. Fry talks as if nothing matters but industrial growth and trots out the Tory nonsense that we need unlimited profits to provide public services. But the logic of his own case is that if we take more from such profits to pay for those services, we’ll threaten the growth that pays for them, so we can’t – ever!
Why not go the whole way and bring back child labour and slavery? Growth will be wonderful, and if all isn’t rosy as a result, it will be the people’s fault.
It’s a greedy child’s attempt to evade reality and inescapable responsibility for the community capitalism controls. Countries across western Europe have historically found that taxes being higher, growth being fine, wages and so consumer spending being good, and public services being better are things that feed into each other together, and must do so. Yet in the face of all this evidence, all Fry can find to call good and important is shopkeepers’ profits.
Won’t higher taxes make shopkeepers work harder, provide more growth that way, in the response they expect from the rest of us to one of these wonderful “challenges” they’re always recommending to everyone else?
Independence, just to be the same as Tory England? What’s the point?
Ian McQueen, Dumfries
WHAT a great sporting victory for Kinlochshiel in winning the Premier League.
It is fantastic to see a team in a sparsely populated area take on and beat the big boys!
Many have viewed the Loch Alsh & Loch Duich area of not being strong enough and having enough resources to support themselves.
Well, I suppose that’s what happens when you a Governed from far distant Inverness. And media that focuses on your other big neighbour, the Isle of Skye. Absolutely no disrespect to either of them but aint it great when the wee places triumph despite accusations of being too wee, too ambitious...
Their main industry, tourism, suffered a crushing defeat in 1719 when Eilean Donan Castle was destroyed by the British. A bit like how Scotland’s industries like Ravenscraig huge towers were destroyed by outside forces. Thankfully Eilean Donan has been restored and as a working castle supports the local community.
The amazing success of Kinlochshiel in winning shinty’s Premier League is a symbolism of what Scotland can achieve and a great example of how to do it.
Congratulations Kinlochshiel!
Bryan Clark, Maybole
AS a result of a number of serious child sex allegations made against Edward Heath, a decision was made – probably in the face of furious hostility of The Westminster establishment – to authorise an official investigation, Operation Conifer. Andrew Learmonth’s report clearly outlines the findings of the investigation, but also, disturbingly, refers to the prospect of yet another unnecessary and costly inquiry (Heath would face questions in abuse probe, The National, October 6) .
It has taken the Wiltshire Police two years and £1.5 million of taxpayers’ money to reach their conclusions, the outcome of which will have no impact upon our lives. Yet here we are, being informed that two of Edward Heath’s closest colleagues are calling for a quasi-judicial process to repeat the whole sorry saga.
Not led by an independent police force this time. This time we shall have a retired judge. So how many more years must pass, how many more witnesses be troubled and most importantly how many more millions will it cost? And for what?
I agree that the Chief Constable should have held his counsel on the assumed guilt or otherwise of Edward Heath, but that is not the reason our noble lords are calling for a review – it’s because they are personally not pleased with the outcome of the enquiry. Well here is a suggestion for Lord Hunt and Lord Armstrong. Let them have an enquiry by all means, and let them pay for it, not the taxpayer.
Les Lambert, Kilbarchan
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