I read with interest in the Tele that many unskilled young people are apparently “trapped between a school system that failed them and a shrinking job market”.
Although there is no denying the shrinking job market, as a teacher in a Dundee secondary school, I would contend the majority of youngsters who leave school with no qualifications do not do so as a result of having been failed by the system.
Indeed, every day I am witness to teachers doing everything humanly possible to encourage (often willing) youngsters to achieve their full potential.
In the majority of classes, those who leave school with nothing do so because they have not, for various reasons, engaged in the education process.
Until, as a society, we encourage young people to value education in something approaching the manner we seem to value material goods and vacuous celebrity, nothing will change. — Frustrated But Always Optimistic.
Train crash plaque plan
The Dundee branch of Aslef (the train drivers’ union) is planning to erect a plaque at Dundee station on the 30th anniversary of the Invergowrie train crash on October 22, 1979, in memory of driver Robert Duncan and driver’s assistant William Hume.
We are wondering if there are any relatives of the men still living in the area and if so would they be interested in attending the unveiling?
Please contact me on 07833 733591. — Graeme Dodds, Speckledwood Court, Dundee.
Be aware of surroundings
I had an unsettling experience in Dundee City Centre. I was walking along with two others when I felt someone bumping into my side, in particular at my shoulder bag.
I turned to see two well-dressed women, one of whom smiled and apologised.
It immediately occurred to me that it may have been deliberate as we had not stopped in front of them or were in any other position for them to reasonably have been that close.
Indeed, there was a great deal of space around us. It is possible it was completely innocent, but unfortunately that is exactly what sneak thieves want us to think.
Don’t carry your keys or mobile phone in your bag and be aware of your surroundings.
It is particularly disturbing that they may not just be after your money and valuables, but your identity too. — Watch Oot.
Afghan war unwinnable
SO far, over 150 British soldiers have lost their lives in the unwinnable war in Afghanistan.
President Obama, who now concedes that this conflict is not going well, is considering talks with the Taliban.
The original mission was to capture Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida, remove the Taliban and keep the country safe from terrorists.
After years of fighting, none of these objectives has been met.
It would take a million troops to succeed. Even if Obama sends 100,000 men, the effort will be wasted. — Alistair McHugh.
Better in Union?
There has been much talk about how an independent Scotland couldn’t have afforded to bail out the banks during this current financial crisis.
Forgetting the fact that being part of the Union didn’t protect our banks in the first place, what most people aren’t mentioning is that Britain is having to borrow the money to bail out the banks.
How this means that we are better off being part of the Union at this moment in time is a mystery to me. — Political Connoisseur.
Scrap charges at Ninewells
Patients, visitors and staff attending Ninewells Hospital in Dundee are being discriminated against because they have to pay parking charges when people at other hospitals, like Perth Royal Infirmary, get to park for free.
This situation came about because NHS Tayside had to comply with EU legislation protecting doctors, and led to the transfer of many services from the smaller hospitals to Ninewells.
The increase in traffic meant building a new car park.
Hospital bosses deserve praise for thinking of patients and spreading the cost of the multi-story car park over a number of years.
The alternative would have been to pay out a large sum that I think would have impacted hugely on patient care.
It is a disgrace the SNP government will not recognise this but hide behind the fact charges came in when another party was in power.
The party should cancel the parking charges and the debt.
After all, the SNP spent much more to abolish the tolls and clearing the debt of the road bridges. — Rab J.
Missing cat
A small white and grey cat is missing from Cheviot Crescent since Monday. It is very timid. There is a small reward for safe return. Call 0785 8044921 with any information. — Upset.
WHY LABOUR LOST POWER
THE vitriol from Labour supporters over their loss of power in Dundee City Council is no surprise.
It was inevitable that after more than 50 years of power, the electorate would lose faith in them.
Labour lost power in Dundee because the electorate stopped voting for them. They surely do not expect to run the city with only eight councillors out of 29? Lord Provost Letford’s decision to leave Labour is a personal one for him, but it was the decision of most Dundonians to leave Labour that lost them their power. — Cleppy Jim.
OPPOSED FOR YEARS
I am surprised at the resignation from the Labour group of Lord Provost John Letford. Mr Letford has been opposed to the SNP running the administration for many years yet out of the blue he has decided to support the SNP takeover.
Mr Letford could prove that this decision was taken on principle and refuse the SNP nomination for Lord Provost in its administration.
I am pleased that the SNP will now be the administration and cannot wait to see it fulfil the party’s election promises. — Allan Petrie, Blacklock Crescent, Dundee.
EMBARRASSING
Kevin Keenan states, “It now looks very likely that the SNP will be able to form a new administration of their own choosing solely due to the Lord Provost’s defection.” What an embarrassing statement to make, considering that 14 other wards have voted to have an SNP candidate look after their best interests.
His party dictated that the majority party shouldn’t have a seat among the Dundee City Council committee conveners.
It is clear to me that Mr Letford is a man of principle. If Mr Letford ever gets round to spilling the beans on the disagreements he has had with party members over the past couple of years, as he mentioned, it could make very interesting reading.— R. Harris.
TRUE SOCIALIST
As someone who has had many dealings with John Letford I am not surprised that he has jumped ship.
He attended the funeral of the late Julie Sturrock and declared her as “a true socialist”. Well, if what he calls a true socialist is to just jump ship as soon as his power is in jeopardy, who needs one?
Dundee will now get what they voted for. For too long the Labour administration has brought problems to the city. — Unimpressed
IN THE HUFF
LABOUR politicians are in the huff because the Lord Provost has resigned from the Labour Party and are calling on him to resign.
I take it they have forgotten that there is a member of their Labour Government’s cabinet — Shaun Woodward MP — who defected to Labour from the Conservatives. Did Labour force him to resign? No, they just found him a safe seat instead. The real irony is that the man that replaced him in his former seat is David Cameron. — Political Connoisseur.
Self preservation
John Letford should resign immediately. He has let everyone who voted for him down. I personally think this is self preservation. I would not support John Letford continuing as Lord Provost. Mr Borthwick would be a much better candidate as he has always put the Dundee public first. — A. Waters.
STABBED IN BACK
I write to strongly complain about the actions of the Lord Provost — I voted for him last time as a Labour councillor but he has stabbed Labour in the back.
Personally I support Ian Borthwick for Lord Provost — a man of decency and a record of hard work for the people. — Speaking for Dundee.
DEMOCRATIC RIGHT
Mr John Letford has made a choice as his democratic right. How about the democratic rights of people who voted him into office under his then political alliance? Are they to be ignored or should they get another local by-election to make their choice?
As Mr Letford is no longer a Labour candidate they should be at least allowed the right to choose who they wish to represent them. Dundee does not need another squabbling council. We need to focus on getting industry back. — Tumbleweed.
POWER BALANCE
Having been elected as a Labour councillor, John Letford now wants to become an Independent, yet expects to stay on as a councillor as though nothing happened.
Mr Letford’s move changed the power balance on Dundee City Council. As such, he should now be looking to gain the support of the people of Lochee Ward in a by-election as an Independent candidate.
Any thoughts he may have of continuing as Lord Provost of Scotland’s fourth city should be put on hold until the last vote has been counted. — Politico.
MAN OF PRINCIPLE
According to John Letford, he is a man of principle. Why did he not raise this matter publicly before now?
He was more than happy to be Lord Provost under an alliance of Labour, Lib Dems and Tories. Politicians never cease to amaze me by the levels they will stoop to hold on their little power base. — Grahame Walker.
Honourable to resign
As a resident in the Lochee area of Dundee, I and other members of the public are absolutely shocked by the decision of our Lord Provost John Letford.
If he was honourable he should resign now and let the people of Lochee elect a person who shall represent us.
Mr Letford has let us down and made the politicians of our city the laughing stock of our country. — Political Preacher.
LOWEST POINT
The behaviour of John Letford must be the lowest point in civic life for a long time.
If Mr Letford thinks he has support, he should resign his seat and fight the by-election as Independent, Nationalist or whatever he’ll be tomorrow. — Lochee Resident.
WELCOME CHANGE
I am disgusted at the Lord Provost. I welcome a change of administration but the SNP should make Ian Borthwick Lord Provost — a man of principle and hard work. — Mrs J. Wilson.
ONLY ONE
My neighbours and I in Charleston think that Mr Letford has behaved disgracefully. There is only one person respected enough to serve as Lord Provost now and that is Ian Borthwick, a man of principle. — Letford No More.
NOT TENABLE
The Lord Provost’s position is not tenable. Labour voters will never forgive him. — Dundee Speaker.
Look no further
Regarding the position of Lord Provost of Dundee. We need look no further than the redoubtable, highly respected Ian Borthwick. This man has, for more than 40 years, been a highly respected councillor.
He is one of the very few councillors who would certainly not be an embarrassment to the city of Dundee. Make him Lord Provost now and get Dundee back to a city to be highly respected, and proud to be a part of. — Ron McIntosh, Balunie Drive, Dundee.
Hard working
I find it difficult to understand the mentality of the voting public in Lochee.
Mr Letford has and will continue to be a hard-working councillor for his ward. After all he is still the same helpful man he was last week.
I may not agree with his politics but applaud the way he looks to benefit Dundee and remember, it is, the singer not the song. — Independent.
In this day and age it is seldom we see political figures on conscience.
NOT TURNED TAIL
John Letford has not switched sides or turned tail. He has acted on conscience and listened to the voice of the people. I sincerely applaud a very brave decision. This is a victory for democracy in Dundee. — Dyke.
CHEEK TO ACCUSE
To accuse the Lord Provost of making his decision in order to cling to office would perhaps have had some merit if it were not for the fact that the Labour Group were willing to enter into an alliance with the Lib/Dems.
Likewise the informal co-operation with the Tories.
Now they have the cheek to accuse John Letford of looking after his own interests as they scramble around in a desperate attempt to cling to office.
The vilification of the Lord Provost is to be expected.
The Lord Provost does a good job for the city and he does not warrant the opprobrium being heaped upon him by the very people whose lack of principle is manifest. — James Smith, Brownhill Place, Dundee.
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