Sir, I recorded the independence debate for convenience, but the few snippets I saw on news broadcasts led me to delete it, and I certainly won’t watch the “return leg”.
I don’t care whether Scotland becomes independent or not: our dogma-driven politicians will bungle everything as before.
What does concern me is the quality of argument deployed, in which respect I was appalled by Alistair Darling’s new “tough guy” performance.
Personalising an argument is one of the weakest and most dishonest forms of debating.
When Alex Salmond mentioned Scotland getting governments it didn’t vote for, Mr Darling replied that he didn’t vote for “him” (Mr Salmond), but that he was stuck with “him” (not the SNP government).
He then belittled the First Minister on the subject of currency by comparing him negatively with an eight-year-old child, who, he claimed, could rattle off the flag description, capital city and currency of foreign countries.
Really? Well, Brazil recently had long-term publicity through the football World Cup: how many readers of this paper, let alone enthusiastic eight-year-old fans, could supply these three details about Brazil?
It may well be that Mr Salmond was equally guilty of substandard argument. Either way, I take this attitude as an insult.
Robert Dow. Ormiston Road, Tranent.
Celebrities are irrelevant
Sir, Your two-page article listing all the “celebrities” who are saying Scotland should say “no” in the forthcoming election is totally irrelevant. Why should the opinion of a “celebrity” be of any interest to me? He or she is just another person doing a job, be it acting, singing, taking part in sport or something else.
That they may earn a lot of money doing that job only emphasises the fact that they do not live in the same world as I do, so their opinions are of little interest to me and are not at all likely to assist me in making up my mind.
Now if you were to publish the opinions of local mechanics, doctors, shopkeepers, council workers, teachers or deckhands from fishing boats they may be relevant to me, and be of use in making my decision.
Please spare us the “celebrity” opinions, be they pro or anti independence. They have no relevance to the ordinary people of Scotland who will bear the brunt of the referendum result, whichever way it goes.
Captain Ian F McRae. 17 Broomwell Gardens, Monikie.
More important issue is the EU
Sir, If all those celebrities would only give their support to our continued membership of the EU as well! That is a far more important economic (and therefore, in the long term, social) issue than Scottish independence.
If we (Scotland or Britain) left the EU, it would be an economic disaster.
I shall, therefore, vote according to whether I think the UK or an independent Scotland is more likely to remain in the EU. Unfortunately, I find that impossible to calculate at the moment.
It looks as if the UK may vote for exit, but would an independent Scotland be allowed to remain in the EU pending re-negotiation? So far as I can see, that is anyone’s bet.
Nationalists can crow about social justice as much as they want, but if the economy declines the poor will surely get poorer.
Antony Black. 79 Blackness Avenue, Dundee.
The reasons for armed police?
Sir, I am still one of the undecided as far as the forthcoming referendum is concerned, but the recent controversy over armed police in the streets has got me thinking that perhaps it’s one of two things.
1. The Chief Constable of Police Scotland is anticipating that the run-up to and after the referendum will turn out like what is happening in the Ukraine at present where neighbour has turned against neighbour.
2. A conspiracy theory that the UK Government has instructed the Police to do so, so as to create fear in the population that this will be the norm if they vote “yes”.
Just a thought.
John Ritchie. 131 Bridge Street, Montrose.
A complete fairy story
Sir, I have received a copy of the Scottish Government’s “booklet” on Scotland’s Future; full of unsubstantiated claims and mythology! The summary at the end emphasising their beliefs is interesting for one startling reason: they have omitted “We believe in Fairies”!
Harry Davey. 12 Dores Drive, Broughty Ferry.
Plan B takes the biscuit!
Sir, Currency Plan B. Tunnock’s Tea Cakes.
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.