What the UK has done for us

Sir, - Hugh Cameron is vexed at those who criticise the Scottish Government’s performance and link it to the SNP’s focus on independence (Letters, July 8).

He would like to hear what unionists think could have been done differently, as well as their explanation of the benefits Scotland has received from being in the UK.

He mentions me as one such “serial contributor”, so I will try to respond.

The SNP’s quest for independence has been built on trying to be all things to everyone, offering universal benefits as freely to those who could readily manage without them as to those genuinely in need.

This pursuit of populist policies has taken resources away from where the need is greatest – for example limiting bursary support for students from disadvantaged areas, and has seen the SNP strip more than £1 billion out of education funding (as recently estimated by the Scottish parliament’s research unit).

The pillaging of local authority budgets over the SNP’s 10 years in power has seen local services undermined, while centrally money has been found for favoured projects like baby boxes.

The independence project requires the SNP to admit no wrong, encouraging ill-judged legislation, such as the named person scheme, and poorly thought through reorganisations, such as the creation of Police Scotland.

No party would have found governing easy during a time of such limited budgets, but the SNP’s choices and focus

has been less on delivering for Scotland and the disadvantaged, and more on impressing for the SNP and its overriding ambition.

As for the benefits of the UK to Scotland, the advantage is not just one way, but rather a positive interdependence through the best and worst of times, economically (e.g. the bailouts during the financial crash), socially (the creation of the welfare state) and in terms of national defence and security.

The achievements of enterprise, science, technology, sport and culture have all seen many examples of positive interactions between Scotland and the rest of the UK, quite apart from our deep social relationships and common heritage.

For many, these all add up to something of enormous value, to be cherished and not undermined.

I appreciate that some simply do not see it that way.