WITH the news that RBS is closing a further 62 branches in Scotland comes the unavoidable conclusion that during the run-up to the independence referendum we, the people of Scotland, were subject to scare stories of the most despicable kind.
Surely now there must be more than five per cent of No voters who made their judgement on flawed, if not completely dishonest, information willing to stand up and say enough is enough? As the UK slips further into an economic quagmire over Brexit, led by clearly incompetent characters, is it not time for a new movement to stand alongside the many Yes groups?
Might I suggest Was No, Now Yes? The broad church that is the Yes movement would be glad to have you on board. I would imagine many Labour supporters who have seen the seeping hatred of the SNP shown by their new leader in Scotland, coupled with his inability to show even a basic grasp of Scottish affairs with his comical bleating about bringing Scottish water into public ownership, are now ready to push for an independent Scotland. The UK Government is failing, Labour is all over the place and pretty much leaderless, offering no alternative to Tory Mis-management. Surely an independent Scotland couldn't find itself in any worse position than the one the UK finds itself in at the moment.
Graeme Finnie,
Balgillo, Albert Street, Blairgowrie, Perthshire.
I NOTE that RBS is closing branches across the country, even with all that money we bailed them out with. I think this is now the time for the Scottish Government to take full control of the Post Office and ensure that banking and Post Office services are available in all parts of Scotland.
Patricia Fort,
15 Lanark Street, Glasgow.
I'M concerned at the way that large companies which now have little connection, if any, to Scotland are able to prefix their name with "Scottish". It's very important that when people see the words "Scottish"or "Scotland" they associate it favourably with quality and good service.
As a country we do very well out of having a positive image abroad. When banks fail and need bailed out at great cost the international media highlight the name of these banks and our whole country and our image abroad is tarnished.
I noted a recent Which report that showed ScottishPower is third from bottom out of 25 energy companies for customer service. When I recently phoned ScottishPower I had to wait 46 minutes just to be answered.
Anyone going into one of the banks with "Scotland'" in the title will be probably be faced with a long wait in a queue as there are hardly any staff left available to serve. The main High Street branch of the Bank of Scotland in Inverness now has only one desk manned. Today I learn that The Royal Bank of Scotland is closing hundreds of branches.
Other examples abound. Maybe it's time for our national politicians to insist that before companies are allowed to continue using "Scotland" in the title they have to prove a connection with this country and not be treating their customers with indifference and contempt. At this important juncture in our history we need to be very careful as a country to avoid bad publicity and being associated with failure.
Alan Roberts,
3 Kinnairdie Avenue, Dingwall.
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