Tag: letters

Letters: Different Class: by hand or by brain

Dear Editor

When the UK had massive industries like coal mining, ship building, steel works and many others the term ‘working class’ was generally used to describe manual workers, although that work often involved great skill and use of modern technology. It was, and still is, an honourable description of the majority of the people – although the type of work has changed, not being manual, it is still wage earning.

Opportunities for some, such as the chance to take further study or to train – sometimes with financial support – has given them a more comfortable life, but it soesn’t take them into a different class: they remain wage earners. The interests of 90% of the population are similar, secure work giving them a stable and comfortable life with opportunities to develop interests and skills.

The capitalist system under which we all live is the cause of economic crisis: it is not possible for that system to give permanent security. It is an illusion, carefully nurtured, that an individual can be one of the 10% for whom everything is fine.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letter: Putting Children First

Dear Sir/Madam

Sadly this time of year sees a rise in the number of people seeking help from family solicitors to divorce or separate. We want as many parents as possible to know about the help available from the Family Decision Making Service.

We know that children cope better with separation when their parents work together to reduce conflict. We also know that’s not easy and that’s why we are here to help.

Three well-respected children’s charities work together to deliver this one-stop-shop service covering legal advice, support to make parenting plans and emotional support. Our help is completely confidential and free of charge.

More information and help is available at ww.familydecisionmaking.org.uk or by calling 08000 28 22 33

Yours faithfully
Alan Forgie
Family Decision Making

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Letters: Unite to save essential services

Dear Editor

The vast majority of people support the NHS because it is  service there for them if required. Politicians will know the wrath of this majority if they move against this universal service: the people know there are attempts to privatise some of the NHS and those politicians will learn a lesson at the ballot box.

Other essential services needed and used by everyone must also become universally, not privately, owned. The main ones are gas, electric, water and railways. The first three are needed by everyone, otherwise modern society cannot function. The railways, although not used by everyone, are a main vein transporting goods and people.

There can be no justification for these essential industries being used for private profit by those who have money to invest: it is obscene to pay them dividends when there are other people who cannot afford to heat their homes.

Profit made should be used to maintain those industries and benefit the users: this should apply to all energy companies. To reach this situation the population will have to apply the same pressure and support it gives to the NHS. These issues are common to all, around which maximum unity is possible.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letters: share necessities

Dear Editor

Most people’s work contributes to the common good: some work has an immediate affect on our lives and we depend on them absolutely, for example workers in the electricity, gas, water and transport industries.

When we get up in the morning, switch on the light, use the bathroom, use gas or electricity to make tea, make breakfast, rush out to catch a bus, tram or train to go to work. Without these services we cannot function – there are necessities; we are dependent on those workers as they are dependent on us.

This necessity is precisely why these industries were privatised, making good profits for a few: this must now change. It is high time, in this 21st century, that these industries are run for the benefit of all.

No doubt there are other examples where this principal could apply.

A.Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Letter: bearing the burden

Dear Editor

When Chancellor Osborne made his autumn statement  I believe he did his best to confuse most people with his ‘percentages of this and percentages of that’ but he did make one thing perfectly clear: the cost of closing the deficit will continue to be passed on to the working population by cutting public services and benefits, holding down wages below inflation and telling people to work harder and longer.

THe crisis we are in was cused by financial institutions, speculators and banks worldwide, but of course the blame is put on to others: stories are being repeated over and over again to get people to accept them as truths. First the Labour government was to blame, then it was the scroungers, the work-shy, the disabled, people living longer, families having one bedroom too many – all of these stories designed to set once section of society against another, enabling crippling policies to be imposed on all whilst constantly repeating: ‘it’s the only way’, ‘it is in the national interest’ and ‘we are all in this together’.

It is the classic Tory approach of divide and rule, enabling them to impose drastic cuts on 90% of the population; I say 90% because the top wealthy 10% are not affected or bothered.

If money was borrowed creating a deficit that has to be repaid, from whom was it borrowed? At what interest rate was it borrowed? Was it at a fixed rate or was money lenders’ method used? We need to know, but whatever the answers there is no need to inflict such damage on people’s lives – with promises of more to come.

The 90% of the population didn’t create the problem but are being made to bear the burden.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letter: Green spaces of Edinburgh

Dear Editor

The foresight of past generations assured us of many beautiful areas of green spaces: parks, area greens, woodlands and walkways and the green belt around our city. They also left us other social facilities: football and rugby grounds, golf courses and sports centres. The value of all these to the quality of life and good health is immense.

Over many years a backward trend in protection of these assets has been allowed by governments and local authorities, selling off green spaces as building sites and closing other social facilities claiming they are too costly to maintain.

Two questions arise: What about the quality of life? What are we leaving for future generations?

A value analysis has been carried out for the council on Edinburgh’s 140 green spaces. It shows for every £1 spent, £12 is returned in social, environmental and economic benefits. For an annual outlay of £9,684,000 nearly £114, 191, 000 is realised. This sum is from:

  • Good health and wellbeing
  • Local economy, arising from visitors and users
  • Schools and Colleges providing outdoor education
  • Awareness of environmental protection
  • Impact of social inclusion of the community

Every citizen in every area must become aware of protecting our green spaces and support local groups and organisations  involved in this important work – not just for ourselves but for future generations too.

Tony Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

 

Letter: Muirhouse & Salvesen CC supports the NEN

Dear Dave,

Members of the Muirhouse Salvesen Community Council wish to convey a vote of thanks on behalf of members of the community on the latest issue of the NEN.

The local people’s newspaper has been much missed over the past few years in keeping people in touch with happening in their local community, especially for older people of the community and those who find it hard to get out. Great to see it coming through our letter boxes once again.

We look forward to your December issue which is sure to be filled with local happenings and interesting articles.

We wish the team all the best and are looking forward to more regular issues into the New Year.

Our Community Council support the NEN in its venture and would be happy to assist in any way it can.

Roy Douglas

Chairperson, Muirhouse & Salvesen Community Council

Letter: Not BOLD, cuts!

Dear Editor

We are thoroughly disgusted with Edinburgh councillors who were elected to represent the interests of their constituents. They have chosen to abdicate their responsibilities by quietly accepting from National and Scottish governments reductions to their forthcoming budget, instead of maintaining budgets to increase funds to sustain services within Edinburgh.

They are asking Edinburgh citizens to decide what cuts should be made to meet budget reductions . They have introduced doublespeak by talking about Better Outcomes Leaner Delivery (BOLD) which in effect means cuts.

They are aiming to cut £22 million from the 2014/15 budget. Local communities should not be asked to decide where cuts are implemented; this is the responsibility of councillors . How dare they put the onus on Edinburgh citizens when they are morally and financially responsible?

Employees from the City Council are demonstrating how to access this survey which is totally unacceptable . Councillors call them savings – they can only be described as cuts which we are sure the people of Edinburgh are opposed to.

Anna Hutchison

(by email)

Letter: lessons of the past will safeguard the future

letter (2)Dear Editor

This year, France, Belgium and Holland are celebrating the seventieth anniversary of their liberation. After all the time that has passed, their joy and gratiiude is expressed not only by the elderly who suffered the oppression of occupation but also by each succeeding generation – they joy can be seen and felt in these countries.

I was part of the British forces advancing from France through Belgium into Holland. Near the town of Budel, there was torrential rain and I sought shelter in a farmer’s barn – much to the interest of the farmer’s children! I have kept in touch with the children since 1944 and have visited from time to time.

This September I was delighted to receive an invitation from the town of Budel to attend their Liberation Ceremonies as a guest of honour. These events were linked with the publication of a book entitled ‘Memories from the Past’, told by citizens of the area to the author Rene Vos, detailing the history of the occupation over the years 1940 – 44. I was asked to write the foreword for the book:

Citizens of the Cranendonck Community

To remember and to celebrate is not to glorify militarism but to show the united will of the people for a peaceful world.

It is important that events of the 1930s and 1940s are told to each generation so they can avoid the ‘mistakes’ made during that period: the ‘mistake’ of tolerating racism, the ‘mistake’ of ignoring the fascist states’ determination to expand their control over others, all of which led to world war.

It was the ordinary people of all lands who finally defeated that eveil; it is the ordinary people of all lands, armed with the knowledge of the past, that will safeguard the future.

The kindness, friendliness and hospitality expressed to me as a World War II representative was overwhelming. This is the main reason for this letter; to tell you of the great feeling of gratitude to the people of the UK and of their joy of liberation and freedom from fear and suppression.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens