What benefits of Tory rule?

Sir, – Derek Farmer (November 18) accuses people like myself of seeking “to fragment and disrupt democratic sovereign states”.

The imposition of Spanish “regional” status on Catalonia and the socalled Treaty of Union between Scotland and England were not the result of 18th Century democratic process. Quite the opposite.

His statement that the UK has, “provided a reasonable standard of living and life

opportunity for many generations of our people”, ignores the reality. Unless he refers to the mass migration of Scots, post-1707, who left these shores in search of better opportunities.

One of the first acts of the UK Westminster Parliament was to legislate in favour of the English wool trade, to the detriment of Scottish linen, by putting a heavy export duty on our produce.

Whereas recent history provides us with a morally and financially bankrupt London establishment hiding the McCrone Report. An act of criminal intent designed to defraud the entire Scottish nation of its North Sea assets, which continues to this day.

Plus ca change. Mr Farmer puts the peaceful and democratic pursuit of Catalonian and Scottish independence in the same category as the Balkans and Ireland.

For a supporter of Westminster rule to use the consequences of the British establishment’s baleful influence on the Emerald Isle in this shameless manner beggars belief.

His claim there is no case for “economic betterment, nor improved government” supporting Scottish independence falls with a glance at indexes relating to economic performance and quality of life, with those “secessionists” (as Mr Farmer would have it) Norway being one of many showing us the way.

As a Conservative voter, Mr Farmer believes the SNP doesn’t properly represent Scotland. Perhaps he would care to put that opinion into context and list the benefits accrued by Scots under Tory Westminster rule? Ken Clark. 335 King Street, Broughty Ferry.