SIR, - What a strange Editorial you have (Stick with what is possible, April 23).
Taking a view on the Land Reform Bill or any other piece of legislation is a perfectly legitimate thing to do.
While farmers might only associate the bill with agricultural holdings legislation, there are plenty of other things in there that could go wrong, in the wrong hands.
For example, once the precedent of taxing sporting interests is set, it wouldn't be difficult to apply the same approach to farming or forestry.
If you approve of legislation to purchase land in the public interest, assuming that only big landlords will be hit, what defence would you have if it is used against a small farmer, owner occupier or tenant?
While the SNP may well be the largest party at Holyrood, it is not inconceivable that something might go wrong that robs them of a majority.
We already have experience in Scotland of the Conservatives propping up the SNP at Holyrood, as they do on several councils when required.
Scrubbing the land reform bill could then be a small price to pay. The bottom line is, we don't know what will happen on May 5, and a bit of critical analysis would be better than writing everyone else off and just waving SNP 'pom-poms'.
Your headline might as well read: "Just go with the flow if you know what is good for you!"
Only thing is, if you follow the crowd, you had better be sure where you are being led to. At present, that much is a complete unknown.
Victor Clements
Mamie's Cottage,
Taybridge Terrace,
Aberfeldy,
Perthshire.
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