IT is a known fact that currently the Barnett Formula results in an additional payment from the Exchequer to Scotland of £8.5 billion per annum. Independence would mean the cessation of the Barnett Formula, resulting in the need to increase taxes in Scotland to meet existing costs such as, for example, help for people on low incomes.

Furthermore, the current fiscal deficit in Scotland is standing at 9.6 per cent of GDP, equivalent to circa £15bn, and could only get worse if we leave the UK. Do we just become another Greece? It must be said that we have not heard a squeak from First Minister Sturgeon’s so-called Growth Commission on Economic Affairs.

The policy emanating from hard-line SNP politicians and activists may be independence, whatever the cost, but what say the rest of us – the silent majority?

It is high time that we sorted this matter out at the ballot box on June 8. The SNP has had its chance – and has singularly failed. The next move must be ours – as the electorate of Scotland.

Robert IG Scott,

Northfield, Ceres, Fife.

I FIND the make-up of council control quite fascinating. The allocation of seats was by a proportional voting system designed to ensure better representation of voters’ wishes. So SNP had by far the most seats – that is, the most votes – and the other parties were all less supported. Yet now we see a majority of councils due to be run by a coalition of parties which were not the ones primarily supported by the electorate. The electorate’s most preferred party in this “fair representation” form of voting is left out of power.

Does this mean that two losers equal one winner, or is it just that hatred of the SNP takes precedence over all else, even the Tory bedroom tax, rape clause, benefit sanctions, deportations of entrepreneurs, continued austerity and every other form of attack on the poor and vulnerable? Is it any wonder that Labour is losing credibility?

L McGregor,

Gartcows Road, Falkirk.

WENDELL Holmes, a former Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, left the whole of his estate to the US Treasury. His reason was short and simple: “Taxes are the price we pay for civilisation.” Oh, for some politician to say that to people in Britain now. Everybody wants a “civilised” lifestyle, but few are prepared to pay for it.

Arnold Bell,

1300 Great Western Road, Glasgow.