Scottish independence comes with a price

AT first glance it appears Mr Salmond’s new party Alba is likely to split the votes to the current Scottish Nation Party (SNP).

However, the complicated Scottish proportional representation voting system sees members of the Scottish Parliament elected from constituencies, with additional members elected from eight regional lists.

The Alba Party will stand candidates in the regional seats, and corner those votes. Should Alex Salmond’s electoral plan come to fruition; it should assist with Ms Sturgeon grip on power?

At present the Green parliamentarians provide her with a majority vote.

Voters living in England may have little interest Scottish politics? Although they should be aware of the direct benefits the Scottish people enjoy.

Their Parliament was able to offer Scotland’s NHS staff a 2% pay increase; England’s were offered 1%.

They have free university education, and concessional bus travel for 16 to 18 year olds, bus passes for those aged 60, and over.

Since 2011, Scots get free prescription. Dental charges are more favourable, than England’s charges.

The Westminster Parliament pays Scotland’s administration under a mechanism termed the Barnett formula, something like £3,500 per head of capita. The cash injections are partly those countries getting some of their taxation back, but bulk of the payment comes via English taxpayers.

Should Scotland gain total independence that would make the Conservative Party the natural party of power. Their independence will weaken the opposition in the Westminster Parliament.

Nigel J Starbuck Bingham