As the crunch day approaches where the undecided must come to a decision on the referendum we have arrived at the odd situation in which the No vote is actually the positive one.

No in this case means No to walking away from our responsibilities as a vital part of the United Kingdom and No to turning down an offer of greater devolution which is almost unbelievable.

Whether by accident or design we find ourselves in a completely win-win situation which leaves us with only one sensible choice, unless of course we choose to place our faith in a band of career politicians rather than listen to the informed statements of captains of industry and finance, unfettered by political considerations, virtually all of whom have pointed out the problems that would arise through secession from the United Kingdom.

Unless we mess it up at this stage Scotland will enjoy huge gains, otherwise we are going to pay a ridiculously high price for the privilege of going it alone, and we will be the laughing stock of the world.

Alan Taylor,

Kintyre,

43 South Beach Lane,

Troon.