Independence vote poses a ‘democratic deficit’ for rest of UK

Sir, – Herbert Petrie is right to say that “everyone should check the facts” (IndyRef2 mandate cannot be denied – Letters November 19).

The trouble for the separatists is that the “facts” do not support the idea that Westminster should grant Scotland a referendum.

Referendums are based on total votes for and against a proposition. At the 2021 Holyrood elections, only 64% of the registered electorate voted. Of these, only 49% voted for parties advocating separation from the UK, indicating that only 32% of Scots engaged enough to vote, were probable Yes voters.

Furthermore, of the last 51 polls on independence, only six have shown a slight majority for Yes.

There are no facts to check on the issue of what Scotland’s status would be after separation. These can only be determined after a long complex negotiation involving, politicians, civil servants and lawyers of both governments; a huge distraction and at considerable expense, with businesses reluctant to invest amid the uncertainty.

The Brexit experience demonstrates that years after the vote there are still negotiations ongoing, and we still do not know the true extent of the resultant damage or possible benefits.

The UK Government has

a responsibility to the entire UK population and together with Holyrood has more urgent problems to deal with than at any

time in our recent history.

To allow less than 3% of the total UK electorate to inflict such damage on the rest would indeed be a democratic deficit that the SNP often refer to.

Let’s hope that when the Supreme Court publishes its ruling on the referendum, the legality supports the practicality, and the decision remains reserved to Westminster.

If not, then Mr Petrie’s observation that we will only know our true wealth once independent, may ultimately prove correct.

But having spent years concentrating on separation rather than addressing the immediate problems, we will almost certainly be worse off than we are now.

Westminster need to focus on the fallout from Brexit.