Scotland Matters Letters

The SNP is delivering leaflets to households in Scotland entitled “The new case for independence”…. “the facts”. It states “the evidence shows independence works”. Apart from comparing Scotland to other “small” countries, they provide absolutely no evidence that Scottish independence will work. This SNP Government will not provide “the people of Scotland” with the economic and financial facts and figures to prove independence will be successful for Scotland. Indeed Professor Jim Mitchell of Edinburgh University said recently when interviewed by Neil Mackay, “if we become an independent country we would do so with a dysfunctional model”. And: “it is not good enough to say it’s all Westminster’s fault and all will be well if independent”; Scotland’s politics is immature.” The brochure also states: “Scotland could and should be doing so much better. So “could” do much better and indeed Nicola Sturgeon stated recently of independence, “there is no guarantee of success”. Andrew Wilson states independence will be “hard”. Ms Sturgeon also states Scot could be “wealthier, happier, fairer”. What on earth has she and her party been doing for 15 years? It beggars belief. Douglas Cave, Newmachar.

It was generous of Brian Cox to pay us a visit and voice his opinions (“Cox: Class-ridden and feudal UK is why I want Scotland to be independent”, The Herald, August 27, and Letters, August 31 & September 1). With regard to his comments on unionist voters and their lack of confidence in Scotland, may I point out that the lady sharing the stage with him has just authorised the appointment of consultants for the ferry fiasco to a company from the Netherlands and the consultancy work for the Rest and be Thankful to an alliance from Canada (“Rest and Be Thankful contract A83 deal for Canada firms”, The Herald, August 31)? Are these examples of her confidence in Scotland? Why is it so difficult for Brian Cox and his cohorts to accept that many unionists fully appreciate that the abundance of attributes that Scotland possesses makes it perfectly feasible to be independent but also recognise that the SNP has shown itself to be incapable of governing our country and this allied with its lack of financial acumen or transparency means that, for many of the people who love Scotland, the risks are just too great. To emphasise, it is not Scotland that’s the problem, it’s the SNP. John Kennedy, Stirling.

Sir, -I’am totally shocked and confused why anyone would want to strike here in Scotland when the SNP want to be independent. The FM of Holyrood states that Westminster needs to get its cash out and assist the strikers in their plea for a pay rise. Sadly, the cost of living is affecting many people and I feel it’s going to get worse before it gets better. What I would now want to know, as well as the many non-independence Scots who want to stay with the UK, is who would bankroll the SNP? Being a pensioner, I cannot strike but will that come next? Gavin Elder, Prunier Drive, Peterhead.

The Scottish Government have completely failed to manage the 2022 census correctly and have failed to achieve the average 94 per cent target with some areas like Glasgow only achieving a 83.2% return of the forms. This makes the 2022 Census information statistically inadequate for accurate interpretation and a complete waste of time and money. What is predicted with Scot-land having the highest taxation rates in the UK that the population of Scotland will fall over the next few years. And this will be accelerated if the Scottish government go ahead and impose even higher taxes as they are proposing. Scotland Deserves Better. Dennis Grattan, Aberdeen.

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