To remain a part of the Union is to tacitly condone inequality

The end of the Second World War witnessed arguably the biggest change in the social and economic lives of the people of the UK under a Labour government that heralded the beginning of the welfare state. The Conservatives, led by the hero of the hour, Churchill, had expected to sweep to power but were roundly rejected by the electorate, who wanted a fairer, more egalitarian state following the defeat of fascism and the tribulations of the “hungry 30s".

READ MORE: Five days in a row with no COVID-19 deaths

In the wake of the virus the people of Scotland must decide what kind of country they wish to live in. To remain part of the UK is to accept that little or nothing will change to help the vulnerable or the poorest in society. Food banks will continue to proliferate, benefit claimants will continue to be regarded with disdain and xenophobic English nationalism will continue to shape the social and economic agenda of a Brexit-driven Westminster Government.

To remain part of the UK is to give tacit approval to the glaring inequity we observe in the continuation of an anachronistic monarchy, the costly and bankrupt constitutional pantomime that is the House of Lords, and the absurd and risible honours system.

To remain in the UK is to acknowledge that the Oxbridge clique will govern your country in perpetuity and that corporations and institutions with vested interests will always find collaborative partners in MPs who line their own pockets whilst professing to represent their constituents.

To remain in the UK is to accept that Scotland will be ridiculed and denigrated in the London seat of government and that our opinions and values are regarded as worthless.

Now is a time for unity amongst all Scottish people who wish to see a socially inclusive, democratic state based on merit and equality in public life. An independent Scotland will, like all countries, have social, political and economic advantages and disadvantages. It will, I’m sure, have a host of divergent political parties and opinions yet we will not be burdened by the shackles of inherited wealth, institutionalised privilege and pointless pageantry.

As David Pratt observed in his column on Friday, let us just get independence done by all those who wish to see a new Scotland emerge from the twin evils of coronavirus and Brexit and leave parochial differences and egos in the movement for another day.

Owen Kelly
Stirling

WITH all the talk of how Scotland has been protected by the “broad shoulders” of the UK during this pandemic, it must be a source of anger in the Irish Republic that, because they took their independence, they have been deprived of the largesse showered upon us. Indeed, the smaller countries of Europe must be all but bankrupt, as they also couldn’t call on Westminster to bail them out.

But in reality, most other countries in Europe have coped better than the UK due to having all the financial and legal levers available to them, enabling them to react as swiftly as required, which is a course denied to Scotland.

At the outset of this pandemic, this country couldn’t take action earlier, as Chancellor Sunak more or less held us to ransom by denying us these necessary powers. We had to wait for “permission” to initiate many of the measures needed as they are reserved to Westminster.

Therein lies the problem for Scotland.

We are treated like a problem child by Westminster, being doled out our “pocket money” if we behave.

Well, it’s long past the time this “problem child” grew up and left home and took on the responsibilities as most children do when they move out.

We would then control everything that affects everyday life in Scotland, we would become a normal independent country, and take our rightful place at the councils of Europe and the world.

Graham Smith
Arbroath

OVER the last few days there have been a couple of extremely thoughtful and measured articles in The National which have highlighted the senselessness and self-destructive nature of the internal squabbling which a minority in the independence movement seek to perpetuate with no apparent strategic rationale.

For those who constantly push the notion that, regardless of what the opinion polls are consistently indicating as the success of their strategy, the SNP will not deliver independence, these articles should be required reading.

READ MORE: This kind of internal squabbling in the Yes movement borders on idiotic

They are “This kind of internal squabbling in the Yes movement borders on idiotic” by David Pratt on Friday and “We’re moving closer to indy ... infighting must not slow the momentum” by Caitlin Logan on Sunday.

Amongst other forthright comments, Caitlin says: “There are some within the movement who appear more concerned about promoting the status of their own faction than convincing anyone new to support their cause”.

David sums up a powerful critique of those who appear obsessed with the sound of their own voices in print or broadcast by saying: “There is too much at stake here for any kind of political narcissism or dilettantism”.

READ MORE: Caitlin Logan: Infighting must not get in the way as independence nears

In my view, these uncluttered descriptions cover the spread of both politicians and individuals the articles are aimed at.

Here’s hoping that people recognising their motivation and actions within these descriptions will pause to refocus their activity to give priority to the ultimate prize of creating an independent country which can then realign along with the democratic wishes of the majority.

Douglas Turner
Edinburgh