Letters Page

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Labour leader’s referendum views

SIR, – Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander, who throughout the last year said that she would strongly oppose the SNP’s plans to hold a referendum on “independence" in 2010, made a dramatic U-turn and wanted such a referendum to be held immediately.

It does not need much soul-searching to find a reason for her erratic behaviour.

Following Labour's humiliation by the Tories south of the border in the council elections, she urgently needs a cause on which to focus for her dispirited bunch of MSPs at Holyrood.

Another reason is that at every opinion poll the move towards Scottish independence grows stronger, which must be a worrying signal for her.

She must fear that, by 2010, it will be too late to halt the SNP’s band- wagon to secure independence.

Perhaps she can take a grain of comfort from the fact that it is not all plain sailing for the Tories here in Scotland as, on the same day as Labour's debacle south of the border, at the only council by-election held in Aberdeenshire, rather than a 20% swing from Labour to the Tories there was a 20% swing from the Tories to the SNP.

John S. Jappy,

Moy Bridge,

Urray,

Muir of Ord.

‘Biggest gamble’ of MSP’s career

SIR, – Wendy Alexander, as leader of the Scottish Labour group, made the biggest gamble of her political career to date in calling for a referendum on independence in Scotland.

Without any support from Westminster, and by betraying the other opposition parties, she could well see her days in Scottish politics numbered as a direct result of this astonishing U-turn, which ironically could benefit Alex Salmond with his 2010 independence plan.

Politics at Holyrood is a cut-throat business and several Scottish Labour leaders have had to go in just a few years of the new Scottish Parliament.

This dangerous gamble could well be her last.

Dennis Grattan,

3 Mugiemoss Road,

Bucksburn,

Aberdeen.

Contribution to the community

SIR, – It was pleasing to note your piece (the Press and Journal, May 6) on the work and life of Roma Hossack, who died at the weekend. However, the article significantly under-records the contribution that she made to the community through her work in leading many voluntary organisations in Moray and beyond.

In particular, she was a director of Cornerstone Community Care for 13 years and chairwoman for five, during which time the charity grew to be one of the largest voluntary organisations in Scotland.

Roma’s long experience in public service, conscientious approach to her duties and focus on the needs of the people we support and their carers always kept Cornerstone moving forward in the right direction.

Many people in Scotland unknowingly will have been helped by the tireless efforts of Roma Hossack.

Roma was committed to everything she was involved with and never sought recognition for all her hard work for Cornerstone and the community.

N.J. Baxter,

founder and chief executive,

Cornerstone Community Care,

Suite 1a, Exchange House,

28 Exchange Street,

Aberdeen.

Silencing of a councillor

SIR, – James Noel’s letter (the Press and Journal, May 5) talked of democracy. Is it democratic to prevent an elected councillor from representing those who voted him into office?

I and many of Martin Ford's constituents voted for him knowing full well his opinions on environmental issues and his stand on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and Donald Trump's plans to build on a legally-protected special scientific site.

In a democracy, we vote for those we think best represent our views and expect them to vote on issues important to us on our behalf.

By deliberately preventing Councillor Ford from representing his constituents, Aberdeenshire Council has knowingly silenced the views of many of its residents.

That is not democracy.

L. Wemyss,

Stanedykes,

Newmachar.

Broadband services

SIR, – While I can fully sympathise with A. Armitstead's frustrations at the lack of availability of broadband services in many parts of Scotland (Letters, May 6), it should be noted that there are several methods by which these services can be delivered, and not just by copper cable from BT telephone exchanges.

Many broadband service providers have been working with the Scottish Government on the Broadband Reach project, to provide cost-effective broadband services to premises in remote and rural parts of Scotland, where traditional offerings are not readily available.

An announcement from the government is imminent, which will outline plans to deliver its promise of “broadband for all" by means of a mix of satellite and radio wireless technologies, albeit the “all" consisting of the people who took the initiative to register their interest on the government's website before January 18, 2008.

However, those who are not on the list should not be too disheartened, as the initial infrastructure which will be put in place will undoubtedly support affordable services to a wider audience before too long.

Sam Murray,

The WorkSmart Group,

43 Abbotshall Crescent,

Cults, Aberdeen.