IT IS a sad day indeed when the Labour Lord Provost sides with the SNP purely to save his job. He has lost a lot of respect with this move.

The nationalists will get rid of him as soon as they no longer need his vote. It is a sad day for democracy in Dundee. — Ex-Letford Voter.

JUMPED SHIP

I WONDER if Letford would have left the Labour Party quite so readily if his post as Lord Provost wasn’t on the line.

It is obvious he has jumped ship to the SNP simply to save himself. I am surprised the SNP have accepted this decision, no doubt made in smoke-filled rooms.

He has lost my respect. Ian Borthwick should be allowed to take over. — Sad Day For Dundee.

UNDIGNIFIED

MR LETFORD says he is putting the people of Dundee first by resigning and letting down those who supported him over the years.

He will now vote with the SNP in order to cling to his job. How undignified in contrast to the quiet diplomacy of the people’s champion Ian Borthwick who is recognised by most as the best Lord Provost we never had. — Jack McDonough Rennell Road.

COMMENDABLE

WELL DONE, John Letford.

For a politician to put principle before partisan politics is both rare and commendable.

Although a Labour man, he recognised the unfairness of ever more convoluted coalition deals denying the people of Dundee the administration they clearly voted for.

Putting Dundee first shows why he must remain as Lord Provost. — The Watchman.

— Have your say by writing to: Lord Provost Resignation, Evening Telegraph, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee, DD4 8SL, or email: letters@eveningtelegraph. co.uk We can publish comments anonymously if requested, but need a name and address for reference.

The rapid intervention by firefighters contributed significantly to the saving of this family’s lives.

If the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station goes ahead then, unfortunately, the taxpayers who are currently served by this station may not receive the same high standard of service as those in other areas of the city.

The extra five to six minutes an appliance would take to mobilise from Kingsway East to a similar incident in Broughty Ferry or Monifieth could potentially lead to a different outcome.

The taxpayers from the east end of the city deserve to have exactly the same level of service as that provided elsewhere.

When members of the joint fire board cast their votes I hope they realise if they vote this proposal through, then they will be creating a postcode lottery with peoples’ lives. — Balmossie Firefighter.

ABSOLUTE DISGRACE

FOLLOWING THURSDAY night’s Dundee house fire in which two children and a woman were rescued, I praise the firefighters and emergency crews who attended.

The firemaster’s current proposals to reduce night time cover in the Broughty Ferry/Monifieth area is worrying.

Should these plans go ahead, imagine what might have happened if this incident had taken place there.

How much longer would it have taken firefighters to arrive?

As a Broughty Ferry resident, I feel the current proposal is an absolute disgrace and will put public safety at risk.

Imagine there was insufficient cover to save this family.

Families having to deal with loss, firefighters having to recover bodies — it just doesn’t bear thinking about. Every minute counts and it can be a matter of life and death. — Concerned Broughty Ferry Resident.

People have been hit with a £70 charge for overstaying the 90 minutes they are allowed to park for free, but I do not understand why people are upset by this.

I fail to see how it takes more than this time to shop in the store.

To ignore the free parking time limit shows a lack of consideration for others, who genuinely want to use the shop.

I have been in the position of having to drive away as there are no spaces, and it left me wondering if all those folks were actually using the shop or just taking advantage of convenient parking.

As far as I am concerned, I will never abuse the allotted time as I consider the shop isn’t just run for me, but depends on lots of customers to remain viable. — Unselfish.

BINNED LETTERS

I WAS given a fine for staying too long in the car park at Lidl a few years’ ago.

I refused to pay this fine as I believed it was unenforceable.

Politicians have spoken up saying people should question the charges and I agree with this.

I received many threatening letters from operators TPS Parking Solutions saying my credit rating could be affected.

I threw the letters in the bin. — Barry Boon.

The bulk of the blame rests with Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as they were supposed to fix the mess left by 18 years of Tory rule in 1997.

Instead they endorsed privatisation and went further than Margaret Thatcher would ever have dared.

Labour has created one of the most unequal societies in the world.

The party has abandoned working people in favour of rich businessmen. — Alan Hinnrichs.

It is great to see something positive about today’s youth as the majority of teenagers are usually getting bad press.

She has done well to turn her life around. — Alex McInnes.

[Eighteen-year-old Suzzane, who works as a peer volunteer at Xplore Dundee, was awarded the peer educator of the year award at the Youthlink Scotland youth worker of the year awards dinner.

Suzzane was presented with her award — a custom-made crystal trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £50 by finance secretary John Swinney during the ceremony at the Dunblane Hydro Hotel.

Suzzane was 16 when she was sent to Cornton Vale women's prison in Stirling.

She became involved in drink and drugs and her unruly behaviour resulted in a four-week sentence.

Suzzane’s achievements were also recognised when she won a Tele Youth Award last year.]

I got my father, who lives in Downfield, to keep it in his garden, thinking it would be safe. But someone climbed over his wall, snapped the chain we thought was security and stole my son’s surprise birthday present.

As I only work part-time, you can imagine the time it took me to save up for the moped.

I hope the person who stole it is glad he or she has spoiled a young lad’s birthday. — Grief Stricken.

“Pre-packed snacks for kids to love” describes junk food as no-fuss snacks for kids that are easy and quick.

Children may go out and buy these high fat, calorific snacks and think it is perfectly acceptable because they read it in the Tele.

Our children in Scotland are getting fatter and need educated in how to eat healthy and take regular exercise to live longer.

I hope to see more articles on healthy produce such as fruit, vegetables, meat, snacks etc. — Vicky Gallacher, Carnoustie.

She had fallen on the grit that is left on the pavements for the frost. It needs to be removed as a matter of urgency. —Concerned.

After his Navy service, he apparently was based in Dundee and worked offshore.

Could anyone who knows of Scouse, please contact 02392 692964 or email Donald.fawcett1@ntlworld.com. — Don Fawcett.