Widespread devolution is needed to maintain the Union

ALTHOUGH not ideal, I agree that devolution will decide Britain’s future (Philip Rycroft, The Yorkshire Post, January 23).

Cities around England are demanding more devolved powers and Westminster aren’t handing over powers, which will eventually become unsustainable.

Scotland has already set out its so-called ‘roadmap to independence’ with a referendum expected to be held this year if the SNP win their expected majority. As the United Kingdom is supposed to be an equal union, one could argue that the fact that Scotland has, and is trying to hold another independence referendum is unfair, as Yorkshire can’t.

Considering Yorkshire and Scotland have similar population sizes, why can’t Yorkshire campaign to be independent too?

If Scots know they will never have a Scottish identity while remaining in the Union – which would be brought on devolution – the vote for independence would surely be won by a landslide.

The people of Scotland want an identity, not economic security, although evidence suggests Scotland would be worse off outside of the Union.

The sense of a Scottish identity can only be achieved by considerably more devolution or independence.

If Westminster wants to hold onto Scotland, a widespread devolution programme needs to be put in place across the whole of the UK, including English cities.

If this doesn’t happen, the Union would be left with a broken England in a state of cold war between councils and Government, and an independence referendum drama spreading across Northern Ireland and Wales.

From: Dick Spreadbury, Liversedge.

I MUST congratulate Sir Keir Starmer on the re-branding of the Labour party to the “Hindsight Party”. A sure-fire way to regain all the voters lost to the Tories at the las last general election.

This is just what we need now that the UK has to make its way in the world all alone and without the help of the EU: a political movement which can fully harness the true potential of hindsight. Brilliant. A stroke of genius.

From: Diane Haigh, Scalby Mills Road, Scarborough.

IT seems to me that all school staff, as essential workers, should be given the same priority for a Covid vaccination as NHS and care workers.