SNP paints mirage

The SNP have proved to be masters of political guile and populist rhetoric. The result has been more people than ever before embracing the cause of nationalism, even if many of their supporters feel uncomfortable thinking of themselves as nationalists.

Yet every day across the country, in accident and emergency departments, classrooms, and even sadly, the scenes of accidents, the people of Scotland discover you cannot run a country on ideology.

The SNP have painted a tempting picture of what Scotland can be, if only they are given more and more powers, despite the mess they have been making of those they already have. How long before the people of Scotland see that picture revealed as the mirage it really is?

KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire