Nicola Sturgeon must provide hard facts about Scottish independence
sir – Nicola Sturgeon intends to reopen the case for Scottish independence (report, September 2), an issue that is largely driven by emotion. But it is time we heard some hard facts.
For instance, would an independent Scotland have its own currency and central bank, and army, air force and navy? What about diplomatic representation?
Scotland’s economy largely depends on Edinburgh and Glasgow, with farming and whisky elsewhere. Is the intention to look to the British Government to cover any shortfall? That is hardly independence.
PB Coffey
Bakewell, Derbyshire
sir – The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland figures for 2019 and 2020 show a large and increasing gap between expenditure and income. If it became independent, Scotland would have no hope of joining the European Union without catastrophic cuts to public services, including the NHS and education. Even if it did eventually gain membership, it would be one of the poorest countries.
Nicola Sturgeon and her finance minister blame this on the British Government and the current constitutional position. Why can the SNP not at least be honest about the financial price of independence and of early re-entry to the EU?
Dr JR Drummond
Cellardyke, Fife
sir – I am a Caledonophile and staunch Unionist, but I am also a democrat who believes in the fundamental right of self-determination.
A second Scottish independence referendum seems inevitable and the sooner we accept this, the more likely the Union will prevail. We must not repeat the mistake that successive governments made in relation to EU membership, by attempting to disallow the expression of free will.
Unionists should concede that a majority for the SNP at next year’s Holyrood election will facilitate a second referendum before the expiry of the Scottish parliament in 2026. Scotland’s future should then be determined by the people who live there.
Philip Duly
Haslemere, Surrey
sir – The Acts of Union of 1707 were two acts of Parliament, one English and one Scottish. They put into effect the terms of the treaty by which the two countries were “united into one kingdom by the name of Great Britain”.
Why, then, is the possible destruction of that union to be determined by Scots alone, while the English can’t express their opinion?
Christopher Wilton
Petersfield, Hampshire
sir – Surely Ms Sturgeon, being hell-bent on independence, would never accept charity in the form of aid (Letters, September 3) from England – a country she so despises.
Barbara Smith
Stafford