MAYBE some reflective football enthusiasts will now recall the fervour with which Holyrood opponents of the SNP’s 2011 Offensive Behaviour at Football Act campaigned to scrap it. I write this after reading in yesterday’s National the reaction of Kilmarnock Football Club to Sunday’s events at Rugby Park when Celtic FC were the visitors.
I also write this having viewed on TV some of the antics which adequately fit into the character of offensive behaviour at football. Not to mention the structural damage reported by Kilmarnock FC, which I didn’t see on TV. Celtic FC were among vocal opponents of the Offensive Behaviour legislation, though in all fairness the Act was more aimed at sectarianism than general misbehaviour.
READ MORE: Matthew Lindsay: Scottish football must get its house in order - before Holyrood does it for them
However, the increasing number of incidents, for example coin-throwing, and the inciteful behaviour of players as exemplified by Celts captain Scott Brown on Sunday, are inviting tighter control of what is meant to be a competitive sport but nevertheless essentially recreational, ie for enjoyment.
Sport sometimes is seen to be lacking in sportsmanship and plain courtesy, and maybe referees should be seen to deliver tougher judgments on behaviour that demonstrates discourtesy. Whether such a response can be meaningful, who knows, but anyway the matter does at least invite meaningful debate. Perhaps the introduction of TVR is the panacea?
Ian Johnstone
Peterhead
DEAR Wee Ginger Dug,
I read your comment in yesterday’s National and was sorry you left me on a cliff edge with your “grassroots will look for other vehicles for their dreams” (It’s crunch time for the SNP: we need indyref2, February19). Perhaps you will elaborate at some future date?
READ MORE: Wee Ginger Dug: It’s crunch time for the SNP: We need indyref2
As it is, I go some way in sharing your frustrations but not entirely. An SNP supporter myself, over the years – and particularly since the Brexit chaos – I have come to realise that no one political party can bring about what you and I wish for the most, ie an independent Scotland. Our passions are too big to be contained in such a small pack of hounds. We know that not only SNP supporters wish for independence, therefore we have to appeal to everyone in Scotland to combine energies in the one direction. The SNP has to be big enough and humble enough to reach out across the divides ... and I think we could do with fresh attitudes and a new slogan. Can you come up with suggestions, Ginger? Something heaven scent?
Janet Cunningham
Stirling
I AM sorry to have caused surprise to reader Henry Malcolm of Dundee (Letters, February 18), by writing about Dundee Council cuts! He obviously missed the point I thought I’d clearly made.
Am I aware of this, am I unaware of that? Mr Malcolm, I am very aware of all that is going on in England and Wales and would reply that that is what you get when you vote Tory or even Labour. However, I would NOT expect to get the same if I voted SNP – which I did.
READ MORE: Letters, February 18
He claims all kinds of things Dundee Council has done to help its people including “award-winning services” and seems to imply we must be grateful for what we have. But I fail to see much evidence of these advantages; I see workers’ hours being cut and jobs going, another 400 threatened in this current round of cuts. I see increases in service charges, slashing of teaching support staff and continuing privatisation of home care. Most of these things impact on the poorest in our city. Meanwhile, our council continue to pour millions into the waterfront and even more posh hotels.
READ MORE: How can the SNP-run council defend cuts in Dundee?
On Monday evening, at the Dundee City Council Policy and Resources Committee meeting, despite representation from three trade unions, the SNP group voted to cut the terms and conditions of its own social care workers rather than continue negotiations – which, incidentally, only began on January 24. John Alexander, the SNP council leader, denied that Dundee ever had a no compulsory redundancies policy, despite heated protests from others who have been in the council for much longer than him. He, the SNP group and the Provost voted 15-13 to cut these workers’ rights, a move even opposed by the Tories! The workers present were livid and shouts of “shame” and “vote them out” rang out across the chamber. They were very angry VOTERS.
The actual point I was making, which Mr Malcolm seems to have missed, was my feeling that the actions of our councillors reflect on the whole independence movement, which is so much bigger than the SNP as a party. Will Dundee still return two SNP MSPs and 2 SNP MPs next time round? As I said before, we need to see good governance at ALL levels. With council decisions like this, indy campaigners are facing an uphill battle. Already Facebook is alive with promises from people, and their families, NEVER to vote SNP ever again. Thanks SNP.
Paul Robison
Dundee
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