We need debate on borders

Sir, - It is welcome that SNP MSP Alex Neil has highlighted whether there would be a hard or soft border between Scotland and the rest of the UK if Scotland became independent.

However, Nicola Sturgeon dismissed his concerns, citing the borders between the north and south of Ireland as an example in the full knowledge a hard border would be a significant vote loser.

But before shutting down the debate, she should be mindful that an independent Scotland outside a Brexit UK would be a very different matter, especially if Scotland became the conduit for large numbers of immigrants to pour unhindered over the border to the south.

Although Mr Neil focused on concerns about a hard border, he should debate the consequences of a regulated soft border which would be a given regardless of whether a physical barrier was erected.

He or his party should explain the impact on Scottish businesses with regard to transaction costs, road tolls and the loss of the large internal market where we sell four times more goods and services than to the external EU market, which is riddled with hidden protectionism.

However, when we are no further on in learning what currency we would use in an independent Scotland or how we would address a further £10 billion of cuts to meet the EU fiscal membership criteria, there is little

chance Ms Sturgeon would risk her utopian view of independence by actually answering the questions the majority of Scots want to know. Ian Lakin. Pinelands, Murtle Den Road, Milltimber.