Division is not the answer

Sir, – Your correspondent Allan MacDougall (November 14) once again tries to persuade us that black is white in matters of Scottish Independence issues.

The error made by all Secessionists is to expound upon ancient history, instead of examining the future justifications for the fragmentation of stable sovereign entities which have, as in our own UK, provided a reasonable standard of living and life opportunity for many generations of our people.

The particular error of Mr MacDougall is to try to persuade us that all is well in the countries of the former Yugoslavia since the recent Balkans Wars of the 1980s. It is simply not the case.

There remain deep resentments in those countries whose people suffered appallingly during the conflicts. It should be remembered that the cause of the Balkans War was the extreme nationalist views and actions of Serbia.

Closer to home, in the 1970s we witnessed the armed nationalist movement in Ireland, hell-bent on removing Northern Ireland from the UK by threat and terrorism.

There is simply no logical case for Scotland to be outwith the UK, neither in terms of economic betterment, nor improved governance.

We have yet to see the SNP, that so ill-informs the people of Scotland, properly represent Scotland at Westminster instead of the present, quite useless, approach of always questioning

and criticising the policies of the UK Government while trying to maintain a dignified aloofness that fools no-one except for the SNP acolytes.

Fragmentation of centuries-old democratic sovereign states is not the best way forward for the future benefits of the world’s citizens. Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.