A clash of philosophies

THE many responses (Letters, May 16) to my own contribution (Letters, May 13) regarding the Labour Party and Scottish independence boil down to a clash of philosophies.

Your correspondents portray the relationship between Scotland and the rest of the UK as (and I quote) like being on the dole and as parasitism. The question we need to ask is whether we see interdependence and mutual support as a weakness or as a strength. Should the better-off contribute to the well-being of the less well-off? Does it create a better society if we love our neighbour – or should we walk by on the other side? Labour believes that we achieve more by our common endeavour than we do alone.

In contrast, the idea that a relationship based on sharing resources and risks is demeaning and debilitating – that we should all stand on our own two feet – belongs to right-wing Tories like Keith Joseph and Margaret Thatcher. And to nationalists. Peter A Russell, Glasgow.