WHILE I acknowledge it is appropriate to publish views of those who are a bit “Corporal Fraserish” about independence (long letter Sat 12th) it sends a sense of “we are all doomed” about my countenance.

I look at the absolute fiscal turmoil, economic collapse and poverty inducing version of “Chaos Capitalism” via a “No Deal” Brexit, being pursued by the Tory Party at Westminster and ask, can an independent Scotland not do so much better than this?

Can we as an independent nation not organise our economy to uplift pensioners receiving the lowest state pension in Europe to a decent living level, as an independent nation protect our NHS Scotland from the predation of hedge fund and private companies which is the norm now in England?

Yes we can.

First folk have to understand that GERS is simply a mechanism to hide all the oil and gas wealth Westminster has sucked out of Scotland. The system was invented by a Tory Scotch Secretary to keep Scotland in its place and in an attempt to thwart rising support for the SNP.

We are in all regards a very rich, wee nation and not just the oil and gas (which world economies will continue to need for at least the next 50 years) but more importantly we have around 25% of Europe’s potential wind and tidal energy (Scotland set to become the Saudi Arabia of renewables). You can add to that Scotland’s still important financial and banking industry, food and drink exports, innovative high tech industry and the idea that some how Scotland relies on Westminster largess is clearly a fallacy.

Let’s also nail the currency issue. Sterling is a freely traded currency and while it makes sense for the new Scottish currency to initially be linked to sterling in an official manner, this is not necessary. The world markets are already looking at a future Scottish currency and their number crunchers are betting on delinked Scottish currency rapidly rising in worth and are betting that Sterling will quickly trade at £1.20 to the Scots pound.

For those worried about money currently held by Scottish companies like Aberdeen Management, they have yet to report the same levels of money exiting their funds as has and is already happening in the City of London.

To those of the “How can we afford it/How will it work out” persuasion I ask: how did independence work out for New Zealand, Finland, Slovakia or Croatia?

No one but an utter madman will say independence will be an “oven ready” deal but if we wish for a better nation, one where equanimity, decency and a functional relationship with our international neighbours is the norm, it is a step, even with much trepidation on the part of some, we must take.

Peter Thomson

via email

THE news that the Ministry of Defence has primed four Royal Navy patrol boats to protect UK fishing waters in the event of a No-Deal Brexit is somehow apposite when considering the mindset that has brought us to the present Brexit abyss.

A superiority complex based on empirical history has had to consider the UK’s place in the latter part of the 20th century as other world economies overtook them. The resulting resentment made it relatively easy for the Unionist press to blame economic downturns and social disarray on UK membership of the EU.

Now, the economic and social fabric of the UK will be wrecked for a generation due to the machinations of the Tory party and their manipulation of those in England, who ironically will lose most from operation Brexit.

Be under no illusion, Brexit will undoubtedly result in the disintegration of the UK with an independent Scotland, a Wales that looks increasingly vulnerable and a Northern Ireland that appears to be entering a period of great uncertainty.

Owen Kelly

Stirling