Sir, I refer to the letter published on the subject of Scottish participation in the Commonwealth Games if, as an independent country, we should decide not to have the Queen as head of state, Last games for Scots? (May 21).
This is just another example of the drivel being circulated by those against Scotland becoming a normal self-governing country.
In the current Commonwealth more than half the members are republics which do not accept the Queen as Head of State. The list, therefore, is very long, so I shall only give a few examples: India, Pakistan, South Africa, Singapore, Cyprus and Malta.
To confirm the true state of affairs, at the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala, Uganda, the issue of membership was considered in response to an application by Rwanda a country that had never even been a British colony to join the Commonwealth.
The committee issued a statement saying changes to constitutional status would not change Commonwealth membership.
The “Kampala communiqu”, as it was called, was issued on November 25 2007, and stated:
“Heads of Government also agreed that, where an existing member changes its formal constitutional status, it should not have to reapply for Commonwealth membership provided that it continues to meet all the criteria for membership.”
Thus, what Ms Sanders avers in her letter is entirely untrue.
Cllr Alan Grant. Perth & Kinross Council, 2 High Street, Perth.
Frying pan or fire come September?
Sir, Forgetting recent voting for MEPs, the people of Scotland have a unique vote in September to consider.
In the lead-up to our referendum, we Scots still have many unanswered questions. The only answered one is why David Cameron agreed to this in the first place to get rid of 40 plus Scottish Labour MPs in Westminster to clear his path to power in England.
Even if Mr Salmond gets his required vote, he is still clinging to two millstones round Scottish necks: the Bank of England pound currency and signing us up to membership of the European Union. The former still ties us to England, the City of London financial oligarchy and their bosses on Wall Street. The EU’s candle is flickering in the winds of change, fanned by unsustainable debt from the IMF, and is a dangerous place for such a new bleating lamb.
It would seem, therefore, that Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon have Hobson’s choice of frying pan or fire.
Ronald Rankin. Coates House, Dalkeith.
Fallen for one of the myths
Sir, George K McMillan has fallen for one of the many myths surrounding an independent Scotland, namely that it would have left wing governments for evermore.
In reality, Scotland, like any other state, would regularly elect right of centre governments, if for no other reason than to sort the money out.
Left wing governments overspend, in the belief that this will cure all ills, then governments of the right come along to sort things out. Once that’s happened for a while, sufficient folk forget what it was like before and the cycle starts again.
Ironically, the Scottish Conservatives that Mr McMillan and I both support might well do better, albeit under a different name, after a “yes” vote than after a “no”.
However, its members realise that Scotland would not be better off, which is why the Conservative vote is probably the most pro-union of all.
Dave Dempsey. Chairman, Fife Conservatives, 7 Carlingnose Park, North Queensferry.
A real win-win situation for us
Sir, I’m delighted to read that whether I vote “yes” or “no” I will be either £1,000 or £1,400 a year better off!
Rodney Tunley. Birk Ward, Balmadies, Forfar.
Highlighted real concerns
Sir, That was a well-balanced article from Jenny Hjul in Wednesday’s paper. She has highlighted concerns that many people have, regarding immigration and the European Union.
Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon can say what they want but there are Scots like myself who don’t want an open door policy on immigration, who see the European Union as an invasive and intrusive organisation whose powers need to be curbed.
It’s good to know that 10% of the population are likeminded.
George Harcus. 7 Morven Avenue, Montrose.
What a load of tosh
Sir, What a wonderful vision Mr Salmond has of a Scotland cut free at last from English domination so that each and every Scot is thus empowered to work twice as hard and be twice as creative than they have ever been before and so generate an ever-more prosperous and wealthy nation.
What a load of tosh.
Stephen Younger. 43a Main Street, Strathkinness.