As a person who uses the car parks at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, I have always been against parking fees and so I’m delighted that the Scottish Government is abolishing car parking charges in Scotland.
What a shame though, that because of Labour and Lib-Dem politicians who allowed NHS boards, including Tayside, to do deals with private companies, it won’t be universal, meaning we will still have to pay charges when we go to Ninewells.
The blame for this should be put squarely at the door of Labour and Lib-Dems, yet these politicians are now the first to demand the Scottish Government should make us, the taxpayers, pay to cover up for the political disaster of the PFI deals they did.
They should apologise for introducing car parking charges in the first place. — Lochee Auld Yin.
Folly of PFI
If Jim McGovern wants Dundee to be equal, can he tell me why he and the Labour Party sold off Ninewells car parks to a private company under PFI?
Now it is going to cost £10 million to get out of the contract to operate the car park.
Can the Labour Party tell us what services they would cut to find this £10 million?
Maybe it would have been more beneficial if he had spoken up when this decision was made rather than just toe the party line. This just shows the folly of PFI — a Thatcherite policy that the Labour Party have enthusiastically stolen as their own. — Political Connoisseur.
Thatcher row rumbles on
A recent correspondent’s reluctance to defend Alex Salmond in the wake of his controversial support of Lady Thatcher’s economic policies is perhaps wise given the First Minister’s explanation on a BBC Scotland phone-in.
One day he said, “We didn’t mind the economic side so much, but we didn’t like the social side at all.”
Twenty-four hours later and he was forced to defend his views, stating, “That doesn’t mean that the nation liked her economic policies — just that we liked her social policies even less.”
So why was Mr Salmond lampooned for his honesty? The SNP used a photograph of Lady Thatcher meeting Gordon Brown on a campaign leaflet during the Glasgow East by-election.
But it isn’t all doom and gloom for Mr Salmond or his party.
This may not have been his finest hour, but he can at least claim credit for devising another way of conversing with the general public. — Cynical Sam.
Royal “we”
The really interesting thing about Alex Salmond’s comments on Lady Thatcher was that he used the royal “we” when he said Scotland agreed with the Tories’ policies in the 80s.
The only other politician who has done this is Lady Thatcher herself when she said, “We have become a grandmother.”
It appears Mr Salmond’s links with the Iron Lady go much deeper than just agreement over economic policies. — C. E. C.
Embarrassing spectacle
It has been fascinating seeing the fall-out from Alex Salmond’s remarks on Lady Thatcher’s time in No. 10.
One day he says he didn’t mind her policies.
Next day we are treated to the embarrassing spectacle of our lead politician calling a radio show to defend what he said. — D. A. B.
Not what it used to be
It used to be that Radio 2 from the BBC was a great station that mixed Jimmy Young’s interviews with good middle-of-the-road music.
The BBC now has seven national stations and leaving aside Radio 3 with classics and plays, and Radio 4 with news and drama, the other five all sound the same.
There is now stuff on Radio 2 that would not have got on to Radio 1 20 years ago. Radio 2 has gone for a younger audience.
Although they still have Wogan and Ken Bruce, the music is contemporary rock and pop and old DJs from Radio 1.
Radio 2 claims to be the “most listened to station in Britain”.
As far as this house goes, the “Big Switch-off” is not too far away. — Dundee Reader.
Reckless drivers pose school risk
While collecting my son from Harris Academy, Dundee, I waited in my car on West Park Road.
As the time approached and all the children were walking up the hill, three people in separate cars went bombing down the road in excess of 60 mph, approaching the junction with smoke burning from their wheels, weaving in and out of pupils and pedestrians only just missing one young child.
When are the police going to do something about this madness?
This is not the first time I have witnessed this reckless driving on the same road and time.
Who are these thoughtless drivers? — Guardian Angel.
Energy bills
When the gas and electricity supply companies were privatised, consumers were told the resulting competition would keep prices down.
In fact bills have soared and more prices are in the pipeline.
The suppliers have failed the consumer and should be nationalised in the public interest.
The Government could then control the price to consumers and hold increases down to an acceptable level by subsidy from general taxation if necessary. — Old Labour.
Car boot sale
On Saturday we are having a car boot sale in the car park of the new community centre in St Mary’s (on St Kilda Road), between 10am and 2pm. This is to raise funds for the new community facility and also to encourage activity groups and new volunteers.
All cars are £5. However there are limited places available. To book a place please contact me on Dundee 811232. — Heather.
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