Ruling drives wedge between two nations

Sir, – Reading the report in The Courier regarding the Supreme

Court’s decision that Holyrood does not have the authority to hold a new independence referendum took me back to the early 1950s when I joined the Royal Navy as a boy rating.

At that time it was under the control of the Admiralty who dictated by order of command when we got up and went to bed, when we could have a break from our daily routine, when we ate and dominated everything we did in our daily lives.

On top of that, we had to request to see the captain for any changes to our circumstances, for example, to be promoted through the ranks, receive our tot of rum when we became of age, to go home for a weekend or seasonal leave, or even to get married to be able to receive marriage allowance. And woe betide you if you stepped out of line.

I just feel now that, regardless of those who do or do not wish independence as a nation, it makes us feel like second-class citizens who must now bow and beg for the crumbs off our superiors’ table and as such has driven

a further wedge between our two countries which is the exact opposite result to that envisioned by the UK Government.

Ron Blanchard. Kinghorn Road, Burntisland.