Sir, I live and work in Sweden and I am one of the truly invisible missing million Scots who have left a country that lacks political power and economic control to find opportunity elsewhere.
Comparisons with Scandinavia are enlightening. In 1964 Scotland’s population was 5.2 million; 50 years later it is 5.3 million, a tiny 2% increase. In contrast Sweden’s population has increased by 28%, Norway’s by 38% and Denmark’s by 19%.
Just matching Denmark’s lower demographic growth rate would have meant a Scottish population today of more than six million. Instead, tens of thousands of young Scots leave every year and as many as 1.5 million Scots live outside the country.
Everyone has family or friends who say: “I’d love to come home, but there are just not the opportunities.” I know families whose children have all moved away and for many grandchildren Scotland is known only as an occasional holiday trip. For any other country the migration of 30% of its people would be a national tragedy. Instead, we oddly resign ourselves to this ‘union dividend’ and its impact on innumerable personal relationships.
Yesterday I travelled to Scotland with my daughter to experience the historic week of the independence referendum. The Yougov weekend poll showed that 60% of Scots under 40 plan to vote for independence. Without a strong “no” vote amongst over-65s the result would be in little doubt.
I want to urge all those who have seen many relatives and friends leave and who may well have grandchildren growing up elsewhere to give the coming generations a better chance.
With independence Scotland will be a normal country. Just like the Scandinavians we will have the proper economic powers to increase home-grown opportunities for the next generation.
The population will grow and Scots abroad will finally see opportunities at home and think seriously about returning. My family will be among them.
Scott McIver. 8 West Acres, St Andrews.
It just doesn’t add up . . .
Sir, As far back as I can remember the London establishment has been insistent that we in Scotland receive more than our fair share of the UK budget, that we are subsidised by London and that we are hangers-on.
Yet now they have a chance to get shot of us, they are tripping over one another to tell us how much they want to hang on to us. It just doesn’t add up.
Des Mahon. 3 Golf Street, Ladybank.
Can count on plenty others
Sir, On a visit to Frankfurt it was refreshing to note the high coverage in the German press of the referendum upset with huge editorial admiration for Scotland’s stand against Westminster and an insistence that the EU would not wish to lose Scotland. Handelsblatt , Germany’s FT, headlined with “The Scottish Shock” showing a banknote with the Queen’s face unamused.
We enjoy a lot of admiration and support internationally. If England doesn’t want to be our closest supporter plenty other neighbours can be counted upon.
Peter Stevenson 36 Glasgow Road Perth
Shameless trio from the south
Sir, The previously unscheduled visits by the party leaders, from south of the border, serve to remind us of several things:
They visit us very rarely; they visit only when they want something from us, (this time our votes); and, sadly, they have no shame. They are the trio who prevented “additional powers” being included on the ballot paper.
They are the trio who excluded the SNP from the Calman Commission by disallowing independence from the agenda.
Had the Calman Commission been conducted in a democratic manner, many of the present uncertainties now monopolising the argument, could at least have been discussed then.
It is also an all too clear indication that the men from the south, have no faith in the abilities of Lamont, Davidson, Rennie and Darling.
Joseph G Miller. 44 Gardeners Street, Dunfermline.
Stop Search clarification
Sir, I was pleased to note The Courier’s interest in the Stop Search pilot currently being carried in Police Scotland Fife Division which, as you report, is yielding encouraging and positive early results. (Saturday, September 6)
Just to clarify one point, as part of this pilot Fife Division has been sending letters to the parents of all children under 16 who we have been stopped and searched and not under 12, as your report stated.
I gave evidence to the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing on June 19 this year where Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson confirmed Police Scotland would not carry out consensual searches against children under 12.
This is the policy of Police Scotland and I can confirm that no children under 12 have been searched in Fife Division since the start of this pilot. The purpose of this pilot is to improve Police Scotland’s service to the people of Fife, as part of our commitment to keeping people safe and we will review and improve our analysis and the deployment of officers, as well as training for Stop Search during 2014-15.
Chief Superintendent Garry McEwan. Divisional Commander, Police Scotland, Fife Division, Glenrothes.