Sir, “Well there we have it” the opening falsehood by Jennifer Dempsie (August 28). Alex Salmond “demolished” the central plank of the No Campaign when Alistair Darling stated that a new Scotland could use the pound.
It is vital that the voting public realise what that fully means before September 18.
The SNP’s plan A was for monetary union with the UK using the pound under financial conditions set by the Bank of England.
That was judged as dangerous for the rUK by the Governor of the Bank of England and ruled out by all three UK political parties. Mr Salmond’s preferred plan A would need a Westminster majority and is clearly a political non-starter for rUK and the Bank of England will not be a financial guarantor of future Scottish debts.
This is not a new admission that Scotland could adopt the pound. That is also true of the Euro or any international currency as other nations have already done.
That option has been open to the SNP for months but never confirmed as plan B by Mr Salmond. Now he extends his web of deception by claiming to have multiple plan Bs.
His plan B main problem is that a new Scottish Bank must hold UK pound for pound against every new issue by Scotland. Scotland would not control UK interest rates or other EU or foreign lending rates which risk higher loan charges for a new and unproven Scottish Bank.
The only new claim in debate two was that Mr Salmond now holds three plan Bs but he still won’t name his international alternative currency.
We, the Scottish voters, so close to polling, know no more from our FM than before both debates took place. For the SNP or Jennifer Dempsie to claim otherwise is another piece of deception by the SNP.
Angus Brown. The Orchard, Longforgan.
Was Jennifer misled too?
Sir, On the same day as Sandy Green’s letter in which he says that Mr Salmond was playing the Scottish people for fools in the TV debate, with regard to the pound, Jennifer Dempsie writes an article making the same misinterpretation of the facts as the First Minister.
There is no dispute that the Scots can use the pound, as Alistair Darling agreed. What the Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems have said, however, is that the pound in a formal currency union, backed by the Bank of England is not negotiable.
An obvious difference, but Mr Salmond chose to ignore Mr Darling’s explanation by shouting him down. Smart but deceitful!
I’m sure that Jennifer is an honest columnist and does not intend to mislead her readers. Perhaps she also was misled by the First Minister, as was the vocal Yes section of the audience.
Gerry Duffy. 11 Larch Avenue, Glenrothes.
Brings things into focus…
Sir, Who could be surprised at the disgraceful treatment shelled out to Jim Murphy this week by the separatist Yes supporters.
This sort of organised, mob-handed, denial of free speech has now become par for the course. It brought shame on those who organised it and certainly on their cause.
However, it does bring “the elephant in the room” into focus the hard won defence of our personal freedoms, much more important than finance or anything else.
In the unlikely event of a separatist victory, of course we must accept the will of the majority, but in the light of those recent events what’s to become of those who wish to return to Britishness and work towards that end?
Is there likely to be any legislation making this a treasonable or criminal offence? The past performances of our present Justice minister hardly inspires! We should be told.
Jas Davie. 33 Aberdour Place, Barnhill.
A pointer to our future?
Sir, Does June Reid seriously believe that thousands of her fellow citizens who have considered the arguments for and against independence and decided to vote “no” are “spineless nellies”? What does that tell us about Scotland’s future in the event of a “Yes” majority?
She might care to remember that in the last Scottish election the SNP got in with 31% of the vote. That means 69% of us got a government that we didn’t vote for. That’s democracy, I’m afraid.
Mr Roche should be patiently reminded that “fabulous” means “flights of fancy” while Mr Hinnrichs, who rubbishes what he sees as Mr Darling’s inability to “guarantee” anything, doesn’t seem to treat Mr Salmond’s impossible “guarantees” with the same contempt.
Should we really be being asked to buy a pig in a poke?
Kenn McLeod. 70 Ralston Drive, Kirkcaldy.
Pension from British Crown
Sir, I was pleased to note in today’s report that the Scottish Government will continue to pay my service pension in the event of a “yes” vote.
However, I earned my pension serving the British Crown, and I would expect the British Crown to continue to pay my pension, just as they do for any other foreign national who qualifies.
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Cellardyke.