Not so rosy

Mary Thomas hails Ireland and Iceland as examples of “small” countries coping better than larger countries (Letters, 20 March).

Ms Thomas, in 2018, Ireland had the highest debt of any country in the Eurozone and the UK assisted Ireland’s bailout to the tune of £3.2 billion, the last of which is due to be repaid in 2021.

In 2018, Iceland’s debt was 37.62 per cent of GDP and consumers prices are 66 per cent higher than any other country in Europe.

The “austerity” in the UK she mentions was created due to the disgraceful economic tenure of the last socialist Labour regime, while a responsible Conservative Government has successfully done its best to reduce our deficit. This reduction in deficit will enable the UK Treasury to support our people through this stressful time.

If anything good comes out of the coronavirus crisis it will be proof that Scotland is better and stronger within the substantial financial strength of the UK and it is heartening to see that many SNP supporters are now admitting this is the case.

Ms Sturgeon, who seems to have never really been totally convinced of a successful Indyref2, seems to have got her get-out-of-jail card. DOUGLAS COWE Alexander Avenue

Kingseat Newmachar Aberdeenshire

Mary Thomas claims that people in Denmark and Ireland “are much better placed to help their citizens” than the UK. Isn’t it interesting how such bold statements can be made when the actual facts differ so much?

The Confederation of Danish Industry, for example, has a rather different opinion of its economy than she does, saying, “If the global economy collapses, Denmark will have very little financial firepower to draw upon”. Spending money it doesn’t have isn’t very impressive.

As for Ireland, another favourite country to the Scottish nationalists, which she claims has been “so much more resilient in overcoming economic downturns”, perhaps she has forgotten how the UK bailed the Irish out with a multi-billion loan after the 2008 crisis that was bankrupting them? Memories can be so short when it suits the nationalist camp!

MARTIN REDFERN Woodcroft Road, Edinburgh