Scots’ independence an impossible idea
PAUL Mercer, (Letters, January 25), makes some very pertinent points about the endless discussion the rest of us endure in the media about Scottish independence.
I would go further and say
Scottish independence is not, and probably could never be, a realistic proposition. A truly independent Scotland could not arise for the simple reason that it would be a security risk to the rest of us. It would also be a financial risk to the remaining Union which would end up shoring it up financially when we could least afford it, post-Covid.
So there is no case for a second referendum, even supposing a marginal Yes vote were the outcome, because an independent Scotland could not be implemented safely and solvently. So why are the independence supporters pressing for a vote on something that could never exist?
And why are they pressing for a vote on something that could cost their leadership their political careers? Supposing a vote delivered the marginal ‘No’ result. Then surely the current leadership would lose their position in the political hierarchy and have to resign because there could be no future hope for a truly independent Scotland. A cause for which they have campaigned for an extremely long time.
Even a lay person, which most of us are, can see that if Scotland loses its financial support from the Union, has not yet had any money from the EU, has to put up taxes and downplay public services, and has to pay for the costs of independence, then it will be in a perilous position. And certainly it could not afford its own defence systems, army, navy, air force, as well as diplomatic service and equivalent of GCHQ.
It would be overwhelmingly obvious to our nation state’s nonallies that the new Scotland was a weak link in defence capabilities. No doubt we would see intensified cyber wars and submarines circulating pretty quickly around the Scottish coast. Scotland could also possibly become a new magnet for illegal immigration due to its weak defence and Coastguard capabilities as well as a convoluted and difficultto-defend coastline.
It is so sad that the leadership of the Scottish independence movement are so politically misguided. They could be leading their own people over a cliff edge towards absolute disaster on many different fronts. They really should consider their own position as soon as possible. Because we English will not feel like bailing them out later on.
Elizabeth Smith Woodmancote