AS an Anglo-Scot, recently arrived in the Borders, I was interested in the article by Julie Hepburn and Calum Kerr in Saturday’s National (Here’s how we get the Borderlands to vote Yes, August 29).
It is difficult to argue that there is not a unique culture in the Borders region, but even among this dominant culture there are differences, for example between the east and west; those close to Carlisle as opposed to those close to Berwick-on-Tweed. One size will not fit all.
READ MORE: This is how we get the Scottish Borderlands to vote Yes with us
Our campaigning must not ignore the Edinburgh Scots who have moved south into our area, the wide range of English who, like me, have moved north, and also the Polish and other eastern European workers critical to our efforts in World War Two and now to our agriculture and industry, who have moved west. There are many other minority cultures all across Scotland. If we concentrate on appealing to “tailored communities” we run the risk of failing to appeal to them.
We must stress that we are an inclusive movement capable of accepting all cultural and behavioural differences, provided they are legal, truthful and honest. To do this, we need to have prospective MSPs in place to work hard to appeal to those whose support we have failed to capture in the past.
We should assert that we are “One Scotland”, open to all who accept our right to be fair and free.
Pete Rowberry
Duns
I READ The National every day, including Sunday, and try to read it all.
Some things grab you right away, others take a wee while to sink in; Saturday's edition was in the first category. The piece “Here’s how we get the Border lands to vote Yes” by Julie Hepburn and Calum Kerr is a classic example.
They wrote: “The polls reflect a growing upwards trend in support for independence but polls aren’t votes and we can take nothing for granted.”
On a similar issue, Yes marches are good for morale, but independence will only be won on the doorsteps.
Jim Lynch
Edinburgh
READ MORE: To convert the Borders to Yes, start by addressing public transport failures
REGARDING public transport issues in the Borders (Letters, August 31) – complete the Waverley line through to Carlisle but double tracked. Reopen the old Paddy Line through to Stranraer linking up with the line to Glasgow via Ayr, then via the long-awaited Crossrail back to Edinburgh.
Apart from the boost to transport for the Borders people, what a wonderful circular tourist route could be formed with trains going in both directions from Edinburgh – a great day out for tourists with the option to break their journey and continue the following day.
Angus Coutts
via thenational.scot
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