IoS letters, emails & online postings (14 September 2014)

As a Welsh woman, proud of my nationality and protective of the Welsh language and culture, I can sympathise with Scots thinking of voting Yes. We Welsh have also been led for years by Conservative governments that we didn’t vote for. However, like many of my compatriots, I am staunchly Labour and don’t feel that I could vote for any other party, and that includes Plaid Cymru. For me, nationalism and socialism are uneasy bedfellows, and bring to mind the dark shadow of one A Hitler.

The other worry I have about nationalism is illustrated by the scenario being played out in Eastern Europe – tribal fragmentation, based on the principle that one set of beliefs is superior to another’s. Nationalism has a feeling of “I’m alright, Jack” about it, “and sod the rest of you”. Socialism is to do with social justice, the strong helping the weak in society.

I hope with all my heart that Scotland will vote No – breaking up the Union will only add to the fragmentation and uncertainty we are seeing all over the world. We need to celebrate what we have in common, and respect each other’s differences.

Gill Figg

Swansea

Why do large parts of the British media keep talking about the possible break-up of “Britain” when they mean the United Kingdom? Britain is a geographical term meaning the island of Britain, comprising England, Scotland and Wales. Also, Rory Stewart MP (News, 7 September), reportedly spoke of: “A third of the land mass of the United Kingdom being removed for the first time in 400 years.” Isn’t Mr Stewart aware that 26 out of 32 counties in Ireland left the United Kingdom in the 1920s?

Brian Stowell

Douglas, Isle of Man

Last week’s headline “Scotland: the independence crisis” should have read, “Scotland: the independence opportunity”. The Scots have a chance to shake off the suffocating Westminster malaise, and strike out on a different course, away from a failed state.

Go for it Scotland. Open up those new opportunities.

Michael Williams

Tenby, Pembrokeshire

The real challenge facing Scotland will be to repair the damage done by this referendum in splitting a nation, and how it can be drawn together again in trusting unity, encouraged by some unique political honesty.

Dennis Forbes Grattan

Bucksburn, Aberdeen

Scotland is enjoying the greatest period of prosperity for many years, so why put it at risk for a leap into the dark? Remember: if Scots go independent they will no longer have any say in English politics, English finance, English membership of the EU; they will no longer be able to use pound sterling; they will face new border controls between England and Scotland, etc. It will be a very unstable situation for Scotland and what is left of the United Kingdom: England, Wales and Northern Island, still standing together but, overall, we will all be much weaker. Please, please, please, canny Scots, vote no and stay strong together.

Simon Icke

Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire

Scotland, like the rest of us, wishes to be released from the shackles of that cesspit of incompetence, egotism, arrogance, near criminality and greed, which is London. The solution is to keep the kingdom “united” but to shift the seat of government to Edinburgh for 25 years, then on to Belfast and then Cardiff, similarly. Birmingham or Manchester might be next. London could be included when it has learnt how to behave.

T J Montagnon

Uppingham, Rutland

Despite two million people marching against the war in Iraq, Westminster MPs still voted to illegally attack the country. This shows that Westminster does not reflect the views of its voters. Only by voting Yes can Scotland be truly free of undemocratic Westminster. It can also look forward to governing itself.

Mark Richards

Brighton

A note about last week’s newspaper

Joan Smith’s comment piece last Sunday about Ashya King caused upset to his extended family. Ms Smith did not mean to suggest in any way that Ashya is not very seriously ill, but she does believe the King family were unwise to remove their son from the care of the NHS against the advice of doctors in Southampton. I regret that the piece has generated anger, and sought to present the case as responsibly as possible. The principle of freedom of expression is an important one, and Joan was entitled to voice an opinion on this difficult and much-discussed case. We wish the King family well over the coming weeks, during Ashya’s treatment in Prague.

Lisa Markwell

Editor