Indyref2 puzzler
As Alex Salmond sets out a different potential approach for an independent Scotland in Europe, he reminds us that Scottish nationalism still has a rather fuzzy view of what “independence” means (“Salmond signals indyref2 could be after 2021 Scottish election”, 9 September).
It sometimes appears to simply mean breaking away from the UK at any cost, no matter what exactly is proposed to come next. He suggests that membership of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) could be a convenient stepping-stone to eventual full EU membership. Yet being in EFTA means contributing to the EU and sticking to its rules whilst losing influence over those rules. Some independence supporters recognise the anomaly in trying to dress that up as a better outcome than where we are just now.
Countries all over the world are to varying degrees interdependent, sometimes with ties that have run deep for generations, such as those between the nations of the UK. It has always been a myth to suggest that independence is a black and white issue; in reality it is a question of degree and how much local autonomy is desired and at what cost.
Of course, Mr Salmond is no longer an official SNP spokesman, which is clear from his further speculating over the timing of indyref2 when SNP central office have decreed that for now this topic is off the agenda until the moment is judged opportune to bring it back again. Yet Mr Salmond is to be commended for this healthy reminder that independence can take on some pretty odd guises.
KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire I am sick and tired of the Scottish Government whingeing on about Westminister austerity as if it is a lifestyle choice.
UK government cuts are an attempt to balance the books and live within our means. I assume the SNP Government would be happy for the UK to borrow billions of pounds extra, increasing the national debt, if they could get an increase in spending via the Barnett Formula. It is the economics of the madhouse.
If (God help us) we were independent at this time, we would have to deal with a £13 billion annual deficit which would make current austerity seem like a walk in the park.
I would like to see our government show some appreciation of the current level of UK funding of our deficit, but I am not going to hold my breath! JACK WATT St Ola, Orkney