Indyref debate link is wrong

Dear Editor

Following in the spirit of Councillor Mac Roberts’ letter published in the PA dated March 28, I would suggest that if the SNP wants an ill-educated electorate, as he alleges, he should personally be very grateful.

An ill-educated readership would be more likely to appreciate the content and style of the letters he writes.

Meanwhile, while I do not agree with the points made in the first half of Willie Rennie MSP’s column on March 21, I consider them fair comment in political debate.

In the second half, his celebration of “our generosity and compassion”, while embarrassingly self-congratulatory, likewise does not call for a response.

What, unfortunately, should not be allowed to pass without response is the conclusion, clearly intended by Mr Rennie that supporters of the Scottish Independence should be regarded as uncaring people, despising charities because their origins are British.

My views on Scotland’s constitutional future are in no way related to my respect for and support of charities like Oxfam and Save the Children. I am sure that this is true for most fellow Scots.

Mr Rennie’s attempt to establish a linkage proving a lack of charity is both hurtful and a dangerous step towards stirring up needless animosity in our constitutional debate.

Scottish nationalists will tell Mr Rennie to be ashamed only if they see something shameful here, that these charities should be despised.

I can be a member of the “British people with compassion and care, digging into their pockets” and, in my politics, support Scottish Independence.

Gordon Dilworth Pitlochry