NHS facts distorted

I’m delighted the Reformer has started its official referendum coverage, as reported in last week’s paper. I look forward to healthy debate over the next few weeks as we move towards the referendum vote.

But I fear that will not be possible due to the continuing bullying, bluster and scaremongering from the secessionists who seem to have lost their grip on reality.

I considered not even dignifying their “secret oilfield” with a detailed response, as this is in the very depths of tin foil hat country, except to say it appears to be a secret known by the entire country. Probably because David Cameron’s secret trip to Shetland was uncovered by... well, David Cameron, when he tweeted to his 740,000 followers telling them he was in Shetland. A career as the next James Bond clearly does not beckon for the Prime Minister.

I’m also not convinced any Government would refuse the opportunity to financially benefit from such an oilfield when it could help them win a General Election in less than a year.

However, this conspiracy, by virtue of its sheer lunacy, simply pales in comparison to the outright lies being spouted regarding the NHS.

The SNP’s own website makes clear the NHS is completely devolved and cannot be touched by Westminster. What’s more, even if there are cuts to the block grant in the coming years, the Scotland (2012) Act gives Holyrood the powers needed to make up the shortfall. Perhaps if the SNP are so worried about future funding we can also look at the ludicrous situation where everyone gets free prescriptions regardless of income. Surely people who can afford to pay should pay? Is that not part of the what the secessionists deem a fairer society?

What’s more, any cuts to the NHS budget within the UK will pale in comparison to the cuts needed in an iScotland.

Secondly, the idea the NHS will ever be privatised is the worst kind of scaremongering. No political party in the UK with any ambitions of ever being elected to power would consider it, for to do so would be to make yourself unelectable for generations. I doubt even the much feared Boris Johnson/UKIP coalition would consider it, although with their grand total of zero Westminster seats between them, I think we can safely assume this won’t be happening.

Make no mistake - the Yes campaign are being dishonest in a desperate attempt to win votes. The polls are against them and Alex Salmond’s defeat in the recent televised debate has shown up the paucity of their arguments.

Since the recent televised debate, the worst excesses of nationalism have shot to the surface. In a recent article, Pat Kane confirmed he doesn’t care about democracy.

Like most secessionists, the only opinion he is interested in is his own and those who agree with him.

We’ve had the despicable tactic of nationalists lying about being knocked back from the televised debate. On each occasion, the (made up) experience described, as well as the words used, are identical. They must think the voters button up the back.

Online, I’ve seen descriptions of No voters that would rightly land you in jail if directed at another race or religion. I even seen one nasty piece of work suggest those who backed the Let’s Stay Together campaign were sex offenders. This is all for having a different opinion. Is this what the Nat’s mean by “positive campaigning”?

The full face of Scottish Nationalism has been laid bare - it is nasty, vindictive, racist and bigoted.

Thankfully, it’s not all been bad news. The recent Commonwealth Games showed Scotland can flourish as a mature, positive nation within our family of nations while also retaining our place in the Union.

So I’d urge any undecided voter to do what is best for Scotland and vote to remain united and I’d also urge all No voters to make sure they make their voice heard as complacency is our greatest enemy. John Maxwell, By email.