I AM accused by Jim Lynch (Letters, September 21) of being "sleekit" for "misquoting" SNP politicians. At worst I am guilty of a lack of clarity in relation to Kenny Macaskill's statement. I should have made it clear that what he said was that in an independent Scotland prescriptions and university tuition would have to be paid for, not directly, but by increasing taxes. Mea culpa. The other references which included direct quotes to the effect that we would face "painful" austerity and that "not everything is going to be easy" are stated accurately and correctly.

Mr Lynch is clearly singing from the same hymn sheet as Nicola Sturgeon in asserting that independence "transcends" all. It is after all SNP "philosophy" that their aims are: 1) Independence and 2) The furtherance of all Scottish interests. Fortunately a significant majority of Scots consider that the SNP have got these priorities the wrong way round.

Whether considering independence as inherently good and interdependence as inherently bad is to be described as a philosophy or belief or obsession is neither here nor there. Only a minority hold that view. Most people do place a high value on "the issues of ... national wealth and balance sheets" as was shown in 2014. Trying to convince them that independence is "transcendent" simply won't wash.

Colin Hamilton,

3 Braid Hills Avenue,

Edinburgh.