Sir, I received an email from a Hungarian friend in Budapest on September 18, suggesting I should vote yes and make history!
International interest, indeed!
I had already voted at 7am (along with a dozen others) and so his advice was too late. I voted no.
The SNP and other independence voters/aspirants should be impressed with the percentage vote they collected.
I still find it disappointing that the local turnouts for such a momentous inquiry into the political views of the population in Scotland could not reach above the 90% mark. Save one, as I recall.
Shame on those who did not vote.
Should, as a sop, so to speak, additional powers be given to Holyrood especially in relation to taxation, it is important that measures be taken to prevent abuse.
Too many of our local politicians, in my opinion, seem to think it is their duty to raise taxes year on year, in order to provide “services”.
That is not what we elect them for. We need good, efficient, value-for-money administration.
The Union is safe for now. However, if any future referendum is to be held, then it should be done quickly, to avoid wasting parliamentary time on arguing the issues.
A T Geddie, 68 Carleton Avenue, Glenrothes.
Poor security in voting process
Sir, I was staggered at the appalling lack of security in the voting process.
Without my voting card, all I would have had to do was to give my name and address. I could have been anyone in my road, as I know all their names and addresses and could reasonably assume that they would be registered at the same polling station.
Had I voted first thing in the morning, the likelihood of any of my neighbours having already voted would have been extremely remote.
When they came to vote and discovered their vote had already been taken, there would be no way to find out who had done this, as no one would know who I was!
While I realise this may be an unlikely scenario, the possibility still exists. Such an important process in a close-run contest should not be open to potentially fraudulent activity, with no possibility of tracing the culprit.
If this is indeed the case, could it be argued that the whole process could be declared null and void?
Andy Lang, Netherton of Kinloch, Palace Road, Blairgowrie.
Breach of my human rights
Sir, When I voted, I was furious to see that, not only was my electoral number marked against a serial number but that this serial number was also on the reverse of my ballot paper.
Insult was then added to this injury with the inclusion of a barcode that was, obviously, related, again, to my personal details.
I was brought up with the understanding that one’s vote was secret!
Where is the secrecy in this?
There is no excuse or reason for this and it is a breach of my human rights.
I demand an explanation for this breach.
CJF Murray, 19 Nicoll Drive, Bankfoot, Perth.
Steering club in right direction
Sir, I was delighted to see our veteran secretary Peter Dawson announce that more than 85% of my fellow members had voted to admit ladies to full membership of the R&A.
When I became a member many years ago, the club was a quite different place, filled with men who had served in the war and in the far-flung lands of the British Empire.
I was still in my 30s and a very junior member but I realised, even then, that this gentlemen’s club, made up of crusty old admirals and teaplanters, was already passing into history.
Today it is quite different many more are members as a result of their golfing prowess and it is a cosmopolitan club of the world’s business and professional elite.
We were heading in this direction before Harriet Harman interfered and it is great to see Peter and general committee chairman Wilson Sibbett guide my beloved club into safe haven.
John Cameron, 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Questions still to be answered
Sir, The debate moves on now on: How we can make government better across the United Kingdom?
No longer credible is the continuation of an unelected House of Lords and it is incumbent on all those who favour democratic principles to advocate for timely reform.
Iain Anderson, 41 West End St Monans.