IN his opinion piece “There’s one sure way that Yes could blow the fight for independence” (September 22) Neil Mackay monsters the UK government and its Prime Minister, describing Boris Johnson as a “human joke”.

Mr Johnson speaks French, Italian and Latin fluently, as well as being able to converse in German and other languages, has written seven books, including a tome on Churchill, and won last year’s General Election with a majority of 80. Some joke.

Mr Mackay refers to the “Yes movement” more than ten times in his rant. There is no “Yes movement”, only a Leave movement. How odd that he bemoans leaving the EU but lauds leaving the UK with our 300-year intertwined economy, common language and culture, open border, shared defence and intelligence services, and unfettered rail and road links.

Independence offers no magical powers to transform Scottish society, the Scottish economy or the Scottish environment. It has become a scary new faith with true believers, converts and zealots. Not a way to run a country at all.

Unionists believe that while Scotland could be an independent country it is far better that Scotland continues to be part of the world’s sixth-largest economy, while having one of the most devolved governments in the world.

The upheaval necessary to set up a new state would set back the Scottish economy by decades.

Unionists believe Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to plot a second referendum next year is hugely irresponsible. Not only are we in a pandemic but we are in a devastating recession whose full effects have yet to be felt. Could there be a worse time to cause more uncertainty and schism?

Another independence referendum, whatever the outcome, would divide Scotland irrevocably. Scotland has so many powers of its own that independence is unnecessary. The divisions of the past should be consigned to history, and the future should be in the broad sunlit uplands of co-operation.

William Loneskie,

Lauder.

NEIL Mackay’s article was like a breath of fresh air, a serious analysis of the current political situation in Scotland highlighting some key issues for the independence movement and, by extension, pro-union supporters.

Questions around the border with England, a future Scottish currency and relations with the European Union are indeed crucial and are precisely the ones which will decide the country’s future.

They are also complex matters which do not lend themselves to easy slogans or sound bites.

Much has been written recently about the state of Scottish Labour and how it can begin to regain political support lost as a result of the disastrous Blair/Brown era.

Unfortunately the party seems keener on attacking personalities, especially that of its current leader, than addressing the serious political issues outlined by Mr Mackay.

Brian Harvey,

Hamilton.