Letters: The case for independence cannot be described as moral

The paper written by Stephen Low and published by the Red Paper Collective in 2013, entitled We're different up here…, highlighted this trait amongst supporters of independence: the greater economic struggle in the UK is defined in Scotland as a national question, where economic "progress for people…depends on independence" Thus, our 15 million near-neighbours in the north of England, who find themselves in a similar predicament, are ignored. Doesn’t seem much morally right about that? As Low, quoting Eric Hobswam, puts it: nationalists don’t really care about anyone’s country but their own.

Aside from Brexit, there are many reasons people do not believe that there is a case, moral or otherwise, for independence: devolution has demonstrated that on a political level at least, politicians in the Scottish Parliament, of whatever party, are no more effective than those in Westminster. Our public services are in the exact same position as those in the rest of the of the UK, with the management and oversight of these bordering on inept (police and fire centralisation, and a nine years council tax freeze, which has forced councils to cut services relied upon by the less well off, spring readily to mind). Our local politicians have yet to prove they are worth their salt in dealing with devolved government, let alone demonstrating that they could efficiently, effectively and economically take us toward independence.

Angus Robertson might do well if he gets his Progress group (nice emotive use of language in the name, by the way: if you’re against its findings; you're against progress) to task Low with updating his 2013 paper. The emotional case for independence certainly exists for many; but, on any other level, and to many more, it makes no sense whatsoever, so I’m certain an updated paper would add much to the debate.

Stuart Brennan,

37 Netherburn Avenue, Glasgow.

MARIANNE Taylor correctly points out that "the moral and democratic case for independence gets stronger and clearer by the day" but worries that the economic case is harder to, but the choice facing Scotland is either to stay within a UK adrift on the sidelines of Europe, or to seize the opportunities of remaining within the European Union, the world's largest single market, as an independent nation. As for the oft-raised situation of an independent Scotland trading with rUK, the main stumbling block to the UK's withdrawal deal with the EU is the sensitivities of the situation in Northern Ireland which do not apply to Scotland; why would a Brexit-damaged UK want to turn its back on securing a trade deal with Scotland? Of course, spite might rear its ugly head, but surely pragmatism would see the advantages to both countries of establishing a sensible and healthy relationship in trading arrangements and so much else.

What we don't need at the next independence referendum is yet another dollop of Project Fear, or a hollow Vow, or wild promises stuck on the side of a bus. Like Ms Taylor, I welcome Angus Robertson's think tank ("Robertson heads new polling group in bid for Indyref2", The Herald, February 4) and believe that Progress Scotland will indeed progress Scotland, and provide realistic and sound proposals to allow the electorate to make an informed choice when the time comes. With the moral and democratic case for independence now becoming irresistible, this is no time to sag at the knees.

Ruth Marr,

99 Grampian Road, Stirling.

WELL, here we go. Up with the local rates and not even a nod at ability to pay ("Sturgeon breaks her promises as council tax to rise", The Herald, February 1). The five earners in the house across the road pay the same as the two pensioners on this side. The anti-poll tax brigade has won again despite it being the fairest form of local taxation ever introduced. Forget ability to pay – charge them up to the hilt and jack it up every year.

And all those promises of yesteryear? Nicola Sturgeon has lost a friend this time.

Only one other problem: whom among the rest would you ever want to vote for? Tory? Labour? Some of the other nut-crackers? We need the SNP but it seems determined to make life difficult for those who would have it. A plague on all their houses.

Alan Sinclair,

40 Switchback Road, Bearsden.

LET'S not forget that it is the Scottish Government's fault that local authorities are being forced to make impossible choices on which services to cut.

The Scottish Government has starved councils of cash for many years, including by freezing council tax. And now we learn (Scottish Parliament Information Centre analysis) that of an additional £148 million cash coming to Holyrood from the UK Government, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has decided in his wisdom that £54m will go into Scottish reserves. In the meantime councils have been dipping into their dwindling reserves to enable them to maintain at least some of their non-statutory services.

How generous of Mr Mackay to give local authorities the option to increase our council tax by up to 4.7 per cent and charge us for workplace parking.

Bridget Wilcox,

Beechbank Cottage, Nine Mile Burn, Midlothian.

DURING the 2014 independence referendum we were often warned that a Yes vote would lead to Scotland ending up outside the EU while England would continue ever more to enjoy membership. Furthermore, there were many Unionist dire predictions that an independent Scotland could not count on North Sea oil revenues as the oil, we were told, would soon run out. We now know, of course, that the EU warnings were laughably ironic. And now we read your Business section a report headlined that "Shell bosses focus on growth in North Sea” (The Herald, February 1): proof, if it were needed, that the successful No campaign in 2014 provided the successful Leave Campaign in 2016 with an invaluable lesson in the dark arts of lying.

Iain Hall,

1 Georgina Place, Scone, Perthshire.

Read more: Independence is a hard sell economically