Economy lags behind

Sir, - If timing is everything then you should spare a thought for the unfortunate SNP.

In the early 2000s, the SNP made progress with a strong Scottish economy on the back of a growing UK economy.

Oil prices were high and the financial centre in Edinburgh was performing well, especially with the prospect of RBS becoming the largest bank in the world, championed by Alex Salmond.

Then the world financial crisis hit. Rather than RBS becoming a cash cow, it became a massive liability requiring a £46 billion bailout from the UK Government.

Meanwhile, debt soared as the UK borrowed heavily to prevent the financial crash turning into a depression.

However, there was no turning back for the SNP and they pressed ahead with their referendum, deflecting attention from high debt and borrowing by telling us we were on the cusp of a second oil boom, we would be powered 100% by green energy by 2020 and we could keep sterling.

In a desperate attempt to keep the SNP relevant, Ms Sturgeon has kept threatening another referendum but her timing could not be worse, especially with the latest figures from GERS which have shown a fiscal deficit of £15bn and our economy falling behind the rest of the UK. Ian Lakin. Pinelands, Murtle Den Road, Milltimber.