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Expert views GERS with deep suspicion

It is estimated the new field west of Shetland could contain one billion barrels of oil.
It is estimated the new field west of Shetland could contain one billion barrels of oil.

Sir, – Jill Stephenson (March 28) comments on the Scottish Government’s Growth Commission findings, which, she states, warns “that there could be up to 10 years of real hardship in Scotland after secession”.

There may be difficult times for Scotland in the transition to independence, but now, compared with a rump UK ruled by the Conservatives in perpetuity after Brexit, without Scotland’s oil, relying on trade with America-first Trump, and the former Empire at the other side of the world, the prospect of an independent Scotland, with all its energy resources, including the huge new oil field west of Shetland, trading as an equal with Europe seems to me like an attractive proposition.

She goes on to speak about the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland figures, much quoted to prove that an independent Scotland would not be viable, which, she says, independence supporters rubbish as “falsified”.

I am not an economist, but Richard Murphy, professor of practice in international political economy at City University London, is, and he says that 25 of the 26 figures used in the GERS calculations are “estimates extrapolated from data for the UK as a whole” because the UK Government does not consider it necessary to know, in any detail, how Scotland’s economy is performing.

Professor Murphy states “it is exceptionally unlikely that 8% of the population (Scotland) would make 17% of the UK deficit” and suggests that the GERS figures should be considered “with deep suspicion”.

Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.

 

Ignore this new oil find

Sir, – I currently have a vague sense of foreboding caused by media reports of a massive oil field discovery west of Shetland, which is believed to contain one billion barrels of recoverable oil.

This revelation, coupled with the recent commencement of production from a new gas field, which could apparently meet Scotland’s gas requirements for 50 years, is deeply concerning.

After all, have the trusted annual GERS figures not revealed over decades how much of a deficit builder for Scotland oil and gas have been? With this in mind, would it not be financially advantageous to leave this latest oil “bonanza” exactly where it is, and watch Scotland’s fiscal well-being recover without the oil and gas albatross around our neck?

Malcolm Cordell.
35 Fort Street,
Broughty Ferry.

 

Do not deny Scots a vote

Sir, – I wish to thank Nicola Sturgeon and her team for her efforts to give us Scots the opportunity to vote to enable us to decide our own fate.

The Westminster Tories believe they have a God-given right to impose their right-wing ideology on people who would not vote for them in a million years.

If Theresa May attempts to block the democratic right of Scots, that proves, once again, that as far as Westminster is concerned, our wishes do not count for anything.

When it serves them they tell us that Scotland is an equal member of the union but then they continue to treat us as if we are some kind of second-rate colony.

When the independence referendum comes, we have a very easy choice.

We either choose to take control of our own affairs or we hand over our futures to the most right-wing Tory Government I have seen in my 68 years.

Harry Key.
20 Mid Street,
Largoward.

 

True extent of Green support

Sir, – Allan Sutherland (March 20) is factually inaccurate and seriously misleading concerning the Green Party’s performance in the 2016 Holyrood elections.

Contrary to what Mr Sutherland writes, voters in Glasgow Kelvin had the opportunity of voting for Patrick Harvie who came second in this seat.

More importantly, Mr Sutherland bases his assessment and negative conclusion on the Greens’ total constituency vote where they contested only three seats.

Perfectly sensibly as a smaller party most unlikely to win first past the post constituency seats, the Greens concentrated on gaining voters’ list votes.

They did best in Lothian with 10.56% and worst in Scotland Central and Scotland South with 4.70%. Thus their representation in the Scottish Parliament is based on support from roughly one in 20 to one in 10 of the voting electorate, vastly different from what Mr Sutherland states.

Gordon Dilworth.
20 Baledmund Road,
Pitlochry.

 

Norway can show the way

Sir, – Once again my request for a positive case for continuation of the union falls on stony ground.

Kate Ramsay’s response (March 23) is to claim ignorance of any positive effects the present Scottish Government has on our population.

Yet, in the same issue, Iain Anderson lists a number of initiatives doing just that.

In addition to Mr Anderson’s current list, we can add free prescriptions, free personal nursing care for our elderly, free university tuition for our students, council tax freeze, baby boxes, and mitigating the effects of the bedroom tax.

In assuming Ms Ramsay is a supporter of Westminster rule, perhaps she would oblige us with a positive case for that establishment’s record in Scotland.

We are told constantly that Scotland is better and stronger as part of this union, yet Ms Ramsay states that she feels as though she is living in a Third World country.”

Meanwhile, once again, our Scandinavian neighbours, Norway in particular, show us how we can realise Scotland’s true potential.

Ken Clark.
335 King Street,
Broughty Ferry.

 

Use energy to benefit nation

Sir, – As suspected, with Tuesday’s Holyrood vote, we get yet more gesture politics from the SNP.

Perhaps they can tell us, since they are so opposed to unions, why joining the EU is better than staying in the United Kingdom?

Where will the money come from in an independent Scotland to allow the SNP to continue funding public services at their current levels?

Then there are all the other unanswered questions, such as the incalculable capital costs of establishing the global infrastructure to give Scotland the same status in the world as is currently enjoyed.

The thing that strikes me most about the SNP performance in both parliaments is the utterly charmless performances of SNP ministers.

If the continual girning and grievance- churning is how they think they can make friends and influence people, they are sadly mistaken.

The energy could be much better used in Scotland’s benefit.

Derek Farmer.
Knightsward Farm,
Anstruther.