Two tides to swim against

Sir, – With support for Scottish independence rising to levels panicking the predominantly Conservative supporting letter-writers to these pages, their growing desperation is clear.

Clark Cross (Independence on two year trial, Courier, July 20) endeavours to stem the tide with the ludicrous suggestion a two-year trial period should be a precondition

for an outcome he appears to now accept as a reality.

Would our English neighbours, viewing Brexit as reclamation of their own independence, accept such a proposal from the EU?

I very much doubt it. Currently polls in England are moving towards ending the Union Mr Cross supports, with he and his fellow travellers now swimming against two tides.

Mr Cross portrays Scottish independence as simply the process

of turning off money streams from both parties, leaving such questions as to where the bulk of economic levers, currently reserved to Westminster, will go?

What of defence, including Trident renewal? HS2, London’s Cross Link rail network. Brexit itself, rejected by Scotland? What of foreign policy? Immigration?

Mr Cross mentions electricity, claiming English subsidies, yet omits to reveal the crippling costs

Scottish power stations pay for connection to the National Grid, in contrast to English sources who either pay reduced charges or are subsidised.

I’m afraid the gentleman’s hope that a two-year trial period will dull the flame of Scottish independence is a forlorn one, as once we are allowed access to our own accounts, devoid of Whitehall’s shifty accountancy, the stable of “too wee, too poor, too stupid” dead horses repeatedly flogged by the

London establishment will be buried forever. Ken Clark. C/o 15 Thorter Way, Dundee.