Scottish independence: 64p per person for preparations is a bargain

This is a tiny sum to spend on a major policy of working towards independence, a policy which is now supported by more than half of Scottish voters.

It would be interesting, for comparison, to know how much resources the Scottish Government has spent over the same period on all the measures needed to keep Scotland operating with the constraints imposed by the UK Government under the current devolution arrangements, costs which Scotland would of course avoid if we become independent. My impression is that those costs would be massively more than 64p per person.

Gareth Morgan, Dunbar

A resolution for the SNP

With a New Year upon us, when traditionally resolutions are made, may I make a suggestion?

I would respectfully suggest that the SNP turn over a new leaf and after 16 years of subterfuge, cover-up, and possibly much worse, that they resolve to be honest and transparent, truly transparent, in everything they do. No more ‘’cannot recall’’ or ‘’minutes weren’t taken’’, or the kids did it, or important whatsapp and text message deletions.

This dramatic change in their approach might win them admirers and reinstate their cause as being not fatally flawed. They may even attract a few more intellectually equipped and honest and straight candidates for office.

This about-turn will certainly not win them the next election after all that has happened, but it may be that some will remember the SNP years with a lot less distaste than they do at present.

Alexander McKay, Edinburgh

Quebec is not the same

Andy Maciver (“Where next for Scottish politics?”, The Herald, December 29) suggests that the “moribund” cause of independence may go the same way as it has in Quebec. He fails to mention that Quebec is part of a federation, in which provinces, great and small have equal constitutional status.

Scotland, however, is a mere DA (devolved administration), part of a unitary state in which the government of England and the government of the UK are one and the same. Nor has Quebec been forced out of the European Union in a hard Brexit, which its electorate did not vote for.

John Coutts, Stirling

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Look to our neighbours

AS a new year dawns, Scotland is in deep trouble. After years of an ailing economy, relentlessly increasing numbers of Scots reported as living in poverty (more than one million in 2023), and further deep cuts coming to our social services, we have been failed by incompetent politicians and chaotic governments in both Edinburgh and London. And with the planned closure of the major national industrial infrastructure at Grangemouth in 2025, there is no prospect of any improvement to this grim state of affairs in 2024 or beyond.

Despite media attempts to persuade us otherwise, even the dogs in the street know that the expected election of Keir Starmer’s “business as usual” Labour party will result in little or no material change to these dire circumstances. Poverty, austerity and distress are now widespread and normalised across the UK. Anyone expecting significant growth from a UK economy marooned outside the European single market is flogging a dead horse.

But a quick glance around Scotland’s neighbourhood in north-west Europe reveals that these circumstances are not in fact normal. We are surrounded by prosperous, successful and progressive near-neighbours. Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Ireland were all in the top 10 wealthiest countries in 2023 (GDP per capita); the UK is down at number 18.

High-tax Denmark and Iceland were in the top three happiest countries in 2023, when social and health wellbeing factors were considered alongside economic; and Ireland established its own national sovereign wealth fund in 2023, to protect the long-term future of its citizens.

The contrast with our near neighbours is stark and clearly illustrates Scotland’s predicament and powerlessness under its current political and economic position. More of the same in 2024 Scotland?

D Jamieson, Dunbar

Message for a former Yes voter

I was surprised and a little saddened by the letter from former Yes voter Eileen McAuley (Letters, January 2). She seems to have fallen for the No propaganda that a vote for independence is a vote for perpetual SNP government.

An independent Scotland would have a government of whatever hue the electorate chose, rather than being lumbered with that elected by the voters in England using the grossly unrepresentative first-past-the-post system.

The current UK Government, which can ram through any legislation, “scrutinised” by the unelected, overblown and sycophantic House of Lords, is the perfect example of why Scotland needs independence.

David Hay, Minard

A dose of common sense please

Oh, how I agree with the psychiatrist who says that people are being referred for “normal human emotions” (The Herald, December 30).

I have said many times to people “that’s life, you just need to get on with it.” Problems at work, problems at home, problems with family and relationships: these are not “mental health issues” but, unfortunately, people are running to doctors and being prescribed anti-depressants and other drugs when what they need is a reality check and a good dose of common sense.

The other day I watched a news programme where primary schoolchildren were talking about their “mental health”. They’re kids for goodness sake, where did they get that phrase from? Is everything to be medicalised and treated nowadays? Taking pills will not solve life’s problems.

A can-do attitude, which is what I and my generation were brought up with, is needed. No, it’s not “tough love”. Anytime I said to my mother “Oh, I can’t do that” she would say “of course you can, just get on with it.” May I say that down-to-earth attitude has stood me in good stead for 70 years now.

Dorothy Connor, Rutherglen

Thinking of going electric? Don’t

We really must all make a New Year resolution to be nicer to the owners of electric vehicles. Grants for EVs have ended for those costing over £35,000. Free electricity is no longer available at railway stations and in local authority car parks. Some insurance companies are charging £1,000 a month.

No one wants to purchase a used EV. Unreliable recharging infrastructure. EVs stuck in snow or traffic jams have run out of electricity. EVs have a low trade in value. EVs’ lithium batteries can go on fire. In Europe, EVs have been banned from underground car parks.

A tip for those thinking of buying an EV. Don’t. People can continue to buy a petrol/diesel car until the 2035 cut-off date. Not saving the planet? Well since there are 1.474 billion cars in the world and only 33.2 million in the UK, a few EVs will make no difference especially since, as was shown at COP28, other countries are ramping up their greenhouse gases and have zero intention of ramping down.

Clark Cross, Linlithgow

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Lessons from 100 years ago

This time of year is when time capsules are the vogue. Seeing ones from 100 years ago should, perhaps, cause us to stop and reflect on what people 100 years from us might think of us.

Mis-use of social media; lack of respect; growing divide between excessive rich and desperate poor; demanding Israel stop collateral damage to civilians in a “just” action to secure safety, while remaining silent as Russia targets civilian infrastructure without “just” reason? Of course there are good things and inspiring people, but we are surely accountable for our own actions and inactions.

James Watson, Dunbar