Bank staff and taxpayers deserve more from RBS
Sir – The disgraced Royal Bank of Scotland’s intention to close its Lochinver and other rural branches is but another example of its crassly indifferent attitude to customers, who along with general taxpayers, but unlike so many of its directors and senior executives, have been forced to suffer the consequences of its follies.
In the light of the petition against closure, I hope it will reconsider, though given its dismal track record so far this century, I doubt if the petitioners will be successful.
I am particularly concerned for the future of the courteous Lochinver branch staff, who, as I administered the financial affairs of my two late aunts from Inchnadamph, both before and after their deaths in 2011, were particularly helpful.
There’s a cynical old saying that accountants know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I would suggest that the Royal Bank of Scotland is aware of neither the price nor the value of anything, especially the goodwill of its clients and faithful staff.
On an entirely different note, I wish local MSP Rob Gibson, whom I’ve known for around four decades, well in his forthcoming retirement from the Scottish Parliament, and I hope that even after his departure he keeps stirring things up in his own special way.
However, as a non-party political person who voted Yes in the referendum, and who on principle helped to vote Danny Alexander out of the Westminster Parliament because of his alliance with the Tories, I would take serious issue with any attempt by the SNP hierarchy to impose an all-female shortlist as candidate to replace Rob.
That would be discrimination and gerrymandering of the worst order, not to mention total negation of democracy.
May the best woman – or man – win the nomination.
Having voted consistently for Fergus Ewing in my own constituency, on the grounds of his capability rather than his party, I would deliberately avoid voting SNP were it to gerrymander any list for nomination as his successor on his retirement.
Willie Morrison,
46 Moray Park Avenue,
Inverness.
