Scotland now truly handcuffed to union

Sir, – I have no problem with anyone who is opposed to Scotland gaining independence and fully respect their right to hold this point of view.

However, I suggest those who greeted the Supreme Court decision with approval and glee need to think very carefully about the type of scenario they are applauding.

In 1954, when Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan made a speech in Edinburgh extolling the union between England and Scotland, he was careful to caution “but it must be the union of the wedding ring, not the handcuff ”.

In the wake of the ruling, Scotland is now well and truly handcuffed because there is no way for us to leave this union if that is what we wish.

Both Tory and Labour leaders have made it crystal clear that even if 99% of us place our crosses alongside pro-independence parties at the next general election they will ignore our votes. This is outrageous and the very antithesis of democracy.

No one who believes that “the people” have the right to decide how they will be governed should be happy with it or prepared to accept it. Alan Woodcock. Osborne Place, Dundee.