Sir, – Alex Salmond’s lack of humility (March 14) about the financial black hole an independent Scotland would currently find itself in is simply incredible.
The man’s reputation as an economist has been absolutely trashed, and yet he has neither the dignity nor the self-awareness to acknowledge this, let alone apologise.
Instead he falls back on the nationalist default position of blaming everyone else, in this particular instance, the no-voting unionists who saved both Scotland, and him personally, from disaster.
Let us make no mistake about this: had there been a yes vote on the back of the SNP’s claims, the current mess would be such that the SNP would be finished, and there would be loud, serious calls in the country for every person involved n the composition of the White Paper to facethe courts.
Mr Salmond’s hucksterism and disdain for the people he purports to represent is such that he uses the old nuclear scare tactic – of Hinkley C and Trident – to try to deflect from his own dismal failures.
Well I would rather have a small power station providing electricity all the time rather than have my environment trashed by legions of windmills that work only a fraction of the time.
With regard to Trident, because the SNP policy is to adhere to the NATO first-strike nuclear alliance and, therefore, pledge itself to spending 2% a year of its GDP on defence, there would be no savings from ditching Trident on independence.
President Obama last week said that he was frustrated by freeloaders getting defence at the expense of American taxpayers.
I wonder if an independent Scotland which expelled nuclear weapons from Faslane, but still expected protection from America’s nuclear umbrella, would fall into that category?
Mr C Marrius. 125 Broomfield Road, Montrose.
Scots deservea full apology
Sir, – Just when you thought former First Minister Alex Salmond could not be any more shameless, he bizarrely invokes Winston Churchill in his Courier column to repeat the desperate and vacuous line that those critical of his bogus case for independence are “talking Scotland down”.
Last week the Scottish Government’s own GERS figures exposed Mr Salmond’s White Paper as a work of fiction.
With the proposed Independence Day less than two weeks away, far from talking down Scotland, those who pointed this out have helped to prevent cuts to Scottish schools, hospitals and other public services which would have made even Mr Osborne’s eyes water.
Thankfully most Scots saw through his grossly misleading prospectus but, whether they voted yes or no, the people of Scotland deserve a fulsome apology and some contrition rather than cheap insults.
Given Mr Salmond’s form, however, I am not holding my breath.
Ross Gilligan. 41 Torridon Road, Dundee.
Stop running down Scotland
Sir, – The subject of Scotland’s fiscal black hole is front and centre in the unionist argument once more, and looks likely to be the biggest stick they have left to try to beat our nation with.
However, there are at least two major flaws with that argument.
The first being that the more they bleat about it the more people will realise that we are in this poor state because of the union.
And if this is all we have to show for 300-plus years of colonialism then clearly it is not working.
Some anti-independence supporters are actually proud to be Scottish and hearing their country being constantly derided by London will eventually force them to see the light and agree that the only option is to be a normal, independent country once again
Richard Clark. Craigton, Monikie.
SNP dream will never die
Sir, – Nicola Sturgeon’s stern demeanour as she announced the summer independence initiative this weekend suggested it was more political lifebelt than “beautiful dream”.
Two years ago people could not conceive that SNP politicians could play so fast and loose with our country’s future. We’re wiser now.
Former SNP aide Alex Belldescribed it as “wishful thinking” and we were reminded of John Swinney’s cabinet paper in 2013 highlighting the problems of oil and paying pensions.
A lot more people now understand and accept that we do indeed get £1,400 more from the shared UK pot than we pay in taxes and an independent Scotland would have to find other ways to fund this.
And few now dispute that getting into the EU and retaining the pound would be a miracle.
In the coming months more will realise that our MPs are basically twiddling their thumbs and some are being investigated for various misdemeanours.
The SNP is losing the electorate’s trust.
It may still win a majority in Holyrood, but independence is on life support.
Unfortunately, in order to keep her supporters onside, this won’t stop us being plagued by SNP “beautiful dreams” for years to come.
Allan Sutherland. 1 Willow Row, Stonehaven.
Who really pulls the strings?
Sir, – Frequently in times past, it has been proved beyond doubt, that the apparent leader, whether hereditary monarch or elected, has been purely a figurehead and that, lurking in the background, there was a grey eminence unquestionably in control.
Am I being rather too suspicious when I express the sneaking thought that our First Minister, despite being an astute politician, holds that position in name only and that her predecessor is still in there pulling more than a few strings?
Ian Kennedy. 1 Gray Den, Liff, Dundee.
Heed will of the majority
Sir, – As we approach Scottish Independence Day as it was billed by Mr Salmond, is it not time for the SNP as a party to come to terms with reality and realise that the majority of the populace of Scotland wishes to remain part of the UK.
When I was composing this letter I thought about mentioning the financial state that an independent Scotland would have been in had we listened to the bluff and bluster of Mr Salmond.
Instead I will content myself with the thought that we are not an independent nation and we will survive the lack of North Sea oil/gas production on which Mr Salmond based his thoughts. We are part of Britain, let’s stay that way.
Willie Robertson. Grianan, Lynton, Stanley.
We’re not too wee or poor
Sir, – Thank you for revealing the paucity of ambition at the dark heart of British nationalism.
Your correspondents (March 11) could only find one benefit to being British, the fact we have been impoverished under Westminster rule.
The GERS figures do not refer to a hypothetical independent Scottish future but to a dependent British one here and now.
If Britain is great, why are we broke?
The insistence that Scotland is too wee, too poor and too stupid to stand on our own two feet is solely down to the fact Westminster has cut the legs from under us.
Henry Malcolm. 331 Clepington Road, Dundee.
Swift work by council
Sir, – Thank you for publishing my letter (March 9), citing the B8062 Dunning to Auchterarder road as an example of a Perth and Kinross road in very poor condition.
I am very pleased to report that this road has been patched along its length and is now safer for residents and visitors alike. This work took place on Thursday and Friday March 10 and 11.
I have contacted the council to pass on the thanks of residents.
Maarten Versteeg. Craig Rossie, 4 Rossie Steadings, Dunning.
No need for new news format
Sir, – Can someone explain the need for an hour-long Scottish news bulletin on the BBC in the early evening?
The present format of international and national news followed by Reporting Scotland is excellent coverage.
Perhaps there are some who do not want the Scottish people to know what’s going on elsewhere in the world or with our immediate neighbours: shades of North Korea.
Colin Topping. Crathes Close, Glenrothes.