Jeremy Paxman and Andrew Marr accuse Scots of hating the English (Paxman:
a 'head of steam in Scotland for hating English', News, June 1). I am English with a strong London accent and have lived nearly 30 years in Scotland, much in the east end of Glasgow.
Yes, I have had banter and jokes, especially because I support West Ham United and I give as good as I get. But never hatred simply because I was not born in Scotland.
Indeed, my sense of being accepted and the lower opposition to immigrants in general are among the reasons why I will be happy within an independent Scotland.
Perhaps the likes of Paxman and Marr are disliked because they represent the privileged elite from public school and Oxbridge. That resentment exists in England as well as Scotland.
Bob Holman
Glasgow
Antipathy towards England and the English has a long tradition in Scottish culture and history. The Scottish historian Walter Bower, writing in 1440, tells us that "an Englishman is an angel whom no-one can believe, when he greets you, beware of him as an enemy. More than all other peoples they are intent on treachery".
Reflecting on events such as George Osborne's Edinburgh day trip, I suspect that Walter Bower was right.
Alan Clayton
Strachur
Jeremy Paxman's belief that "there is a head of steam in Scotland for hating the English" presents a challenge. If it's not about something basic like hatred then what is independence about?
Like Mr Paxman I am of mixed Scottish/English heritage and have English friends and family. Somehow hatred doesn't really enter the equation although everyone knows that emotions can run high in families.
All our lives there are things that people really and emotionally don't want to share. Think of toys, sweets, cars, houses, partners. The reason that Scots want political secession is because our neighbouring nations and friends have their own proper governments with grown-up powers and we don't.
It's all about fairness.
Douglas Hunter
Ancrum
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