‘No’ voters could refuse to recognise the election result

Sir, – Election time again and the SNP are displaying their lack of democracy by promoting another independence referendum.

I would remind them that their refusal to recognise an election result can work both ways.

Should they win, then the ‘No’ population could refuse to recognise the result, and it would be the SNP who have set the legal precedent.

The whole process also requires clarity about the monetary arrangements and requires answers from the SNP.

Scotland currently spends £15 billion a year more than it receives in taxes from the Scottish people.

How on earth will that shortfall be made up every year from the Scottish taxpayer?

Say goodbye to your free prescriptions, to free higher education, to the millions received from the Barnett formula. Say goodbye to the tourist industry – over 75% of tourists come from the rest of the UK. The UK is also our biggest trading partner with up to four times more trade with it than with the rest of Europe.

Scotland would become responsible for paying pensions, with no money.

Don’t say oil will pay. The industry is already struggling.

You will have to use the Euro if Scotland rejoins the EU.

You will have your 8% of the UK debt to pay, which due to the pandemic is now in trillions rather than billions.

In a future pandemic, how could Scotland support the furlough scheme, businesses, rates relief etc?

One thing is sure. An independent Scotland would be a financial catastrophe.