Painting fearful picture of future

Sir, – I take due cognizance of the comments of Messrs Lakin and Mitchell (Letters November 21) and would respond as follows.

Mr Lakin tells us the Scottish Government is not being forthright. Would that be something akin to the UK Government’s burying of The McCrone Report for 30 years? Much of the content of same is applicable to today’s Scotland.

To Mr Mitchell: Would an independent Scotland start with a debt ratio of, approaching, 98% of GDP?

Both seem selective in historical fact. Let’s take The Republic of Ireland which, starting from a very dire situation, just over 100 years ago, is now a modern powerhouse. They used the pound for a lengthy period, before moving to the Irish punt, which was pegged to sterling, then finally the euro.

Freedom of movement and trade with the UK was retained throughout their transition, as it is to this day. Scotland would be starting from a much stronger base.

I would, respectfully, draw their attention to an article in the same day’s publication (page 31) where the International Scotland report, paints a rather different picture than the one they do. No one is saying that there won’t be issues with independence, but the prize for our children and grandchildren

could well be a great one.

In closing, I would, again respectfully, remind them that countries such as Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Norway and a host of others exist, and all are in a much less precarious state than the UK. Given time, there is no reason why Scotland could not likewise be a much better, fairer, and more equal country. That, I suspect, is what they really fear.

Ron Campbell. Richmond Walk, Aberdeen.