Where’s the positive vision for ‘Scotland in Union’?

The daily pro-union media letters reveal a total absence of any positive vision for “Scotland in Union” to appeal to Scots voters in May.

The “Stop Indyref ” mantra of the Tory, Labour and Lib Dem parties is anti-democratic and insulting. Most Scots appreciate the enormous progressive achievements of our current administration over the last 14 years (under both Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond) and are thankful to live in a country where our government prioritises the well-being of its ordinary citizens, above the interests of wealth and power. They also understand that there is much more to be done to improve our country, but are well aware that our devolved administration is under attack from a Westminster that is retaining devolved powers in London and mounting legal challenges to legislation passed by our Holyrood parliament.

Under the “broad shoulders of the union”, Scotland has no direct access to its own considerable wealth and resources (which are on a scale equivalent to Denmark’s); instead these are “managed” on our behalf by others we didn’t vote for and spent on things we don’t want or need. Within the so-called pooling and sharing arrangements, Scottish taxpayers pay towards transport infrastructure elsewhere (HS2 rail network, Crossrail London etc) and new nuclear energy plants (eg Hinkley Point C Somerset), as well as the Mod’s soon-to-be increased nuclear missile stockpile, based on the Clyde. None of these benefit Scottish citizens.

Scotland has a wealth of natural resources, a highly educated population and a highly developed export-driven economy; our country would thrive as an independent nation outside the UK.

Unsurprisingly, Scots want less UK, not more; they want control of their own resources and wealth, higher-paid NHS and care staff, better pensions and closer links with our European neighbours, not more Union flags and British isolation. The truth is that none of the unionist Tory, Labour or Lib Dem parties articulate a positive vision of a future “Scotland in Union”, because it doesn’t exist. That’s why support for the progressive independence-supporting parties (whether SNP, Alba or Greens) and their vision for a better future for our country and its citizens, will only continue to grow.

D JAMIESON Newington, Edinburgh