Keep a sense of proportion over how debate is being conducted

It would be better if people did not throw eggs or tailgate the First Minister's car, but let us keep a sense of proportion here. The debate has generally been characterised by respect and good humour and that continues with the majority of people on both sides of the debate.

The Orange Order is to parade in Edinburgh on the weekend before the vote, and there have been mutterings of disorder associated with it. As they are supporting the No campaign, are Messrs Murphy and Darling predicting "carnage" there? The Orange Order is entirely entitled to make its voice heard, in a reasonable way. I have had neighbours and colleagues who were members, and had cordial relationships with them. Although I disagree strongly with the Orange Order's aims, there were many aspects of life in which these individuals and I were in accord. There will, in all likelihood, be some unpleasant incidents, associated with the march, as there always has been, but the majority of marchers will conduct themselves properly.

Let us keep a sense of proportion. The conduct of this referendum reflects well upon the democratic and civilised credentials of the great majority of us from the Prime Minister and First Minister to the people who have been holding meetings and going canvassing.

Alasdair Macdonald,

Flat 1/1, 10 Dryburgh Gardens,

Glasgow.

SO poor Jim Murphy is such a delicate soul that an egg thrown in his vicinity and some heckling forces him to suspend his campaigning ("Murphy's tour on hold as he blames Yes for mob threat", The Herald, August 30). How did he recover from this "assault"? Of course, he called a press conference and without a shred of evidence accused the Yes campaign of co-ordinating an attack on his free speech. The cynical among us might comment on the fact that someone was filming at the right time and in the right direction to record the egg in flight but not the thrower. We might also wonder how Mr Murphy knew it was a Yes egg.

Now we learn that Better Together is predicting "absolute carnage" at polling stations. Once more there is nothing to support this scare­mongering. Do I detect the black artists of Westminster at work here intent on smearing the Yes campaign? As we approach September 18 let no-one doubt that these tactics will be ramped up as the No campaign finally realises that the result is not the foregone conclusion I have been told it is many times.

We as a nation are better than this mean-spirited and pathetic attempt to belittle the people of Scotland. We should be immensely proud that probably for the first time in history an independence debate has not cost the life of one single person. Whether we vote Yes or No we will have set a standard which is far above that displayed by those who would resort to their political chicanery. They are history.

David Stubley,

22 Templeton Crescent, Prestwick.

WHY are there so few No Thanks window posters across Scotland? Opinion polls consistently record a majority in favour of the Union - but as the lead appears to narrow, surely No voters aren't simply indifferent or complacent?

I have conducted an unscientific straw poll amongst highly engaged No voters and the response is unanimous: "I'll get a brick through my window." The fear is that expressing an opinion contrary to nationalist dogma means risking a violent assault on your home. Some add: "'Look what happened to Jim Murphy, and he's a Labour MP ..."

Scots are now frightened of other Scots. What does this tell us about how the referendum conversation is being conducted?

Martin Redfern,

4 Royal Circus, Edinburgh.

I AM dismayed that the independ­ence debate seems to be focusing on forecasts of growing public disorder instead of the issues which voters need to be informed about. The Scots have a reputation for being fair-minded but that notion is now being sullied by the actions of a small minority. Heightened emotions do not excuse threats against the First Minister or anyone else; eggs being thrown at Jim Murphy; assaults or damage to property, and so on.

For people to be afraid to carry out their inalienable right to vote is totally unacceptable in a democracy and the police should deal with any criminality. This distraction has meant that questions like "how can an independent Scotland afford the salaries and pensions of a large public sector without massive tax rises?" have been left largely unanswered. I would also like some reassurance that the jobs which support the 70 per cent of Scottish exports which go south of the Border will be safe. These are the issues which the politicians should feel free to talk about.

Bob MacDougall,

Oxhill, Kippen, Stirlingshire.

I HAVE been reminded recently of the words of William Godwin: "Anger is never without an argument, but seldom with a good one'." I say that because of the reports of physical assaults on and harassment of politicians. George Galloway, the Respect MP, was attacked in London ("Galloway bruised after being attacked in street",The Herald August 30). In the same edition of The Herald we read that Jim Murphy, the East Renfrew­shire MP, had eggs thrown at him and was allegedly challenged to a fight. We also learn that Alex Salmond, First Minister, was harassed by a road-rage motorist.

There are those who assert that, if we lived in an ideal world, politicians would be superfluous. Indeed, it was Tom Paine who reflected: "Govern­ment, even in its best state, is a necessary evil." However, we are made aware each day by events that our world is a long way short of utopian. We need consequently some form of government with its concomitant features of politics and politicians. There have , of course, over the years been politicians,who have caused disenchantment and discontent among the electorate through their dishonesty, hypocrisy, venality, self-importance and incompetence.

While our world is less than perfect and we have a need for politicians, let us, by all means, keep them subject continually to reasoned criticism and commentary on their performance. However, let us refrain from verbal abuse and physical intimidation. Otherwise we are in danger of destroying the good name of our country and of running the risk of entering an environment where the loudest and the fiercest will prevail.

Ian W Thomson,

38 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie.