Lesley Riddoch is right on the value of figures like Richard Murphy to Yes movement

It is essential that we heed and debate the need for us to be ready for one of the causes of our failure of 2014! CURRENCY.

It was a concern to me how Tim Rideout’s views were somehow dismissed. Now we have an opportunity to hear from an equally erudite scholar in Richard Murphy, and this time let’s take it seriously enough to debate, as Lesley has urged.

I always considered economics as something of a pseudo-science put together to keep the public in the dark (a la mushroom theory). For example, why when Scotland is now providing a self-sufficiency in green electricity are our payments linked to the price of gas? Ah, of course, the “market”. As if that was an explanation or justification. It basically sees investors (capitalists) taking advantage. No wonder there is a widening wealth gap.

To get back to the currency issue, we must prepare for independence (since “economics” is such a dark art) with an open mind and a preparedness to move and to act on balanced decisions taken as Lesley Riddoch advises.

Doug Drever

Dundee

Your erudite contributor Alex Orr covered many sides of our conundrum in the National Conversation on October 17, but appeared blinded by the Unionist dogma of the law.

It must be remembered that it’s their law, not ours. Surely it is the international law that we should be turning to this minute?

Alex, looking at the domestic scene, is mistaken: of course there is a written constitution covering this matter.

In their own words, the UN describe it thus: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights,” and so it is.

Enshrined in that document is my right to determine my government, alongside the mechanisms to allow achievement.

The UDHR allows Scotland to hold a referendum, and legalises Scotland’s ability to act on the outcome.

I am certain too that not only the UN, but other trusted national bodies, could be asked to monitor the procedures so as to prevent the English politicians, their press, their TV and their friends, repeating the disgraceful interference we witnessed in 2014.

Delay is Westminster’s friend, its politicians get richer by the day, despite that conveyor belt of chancellors and prime ministers.

Obfuscation is their strategy.

When they say “Our country, law, wealth, assets” etc they mean England, English law (not applicable here) and the annual £20 billion guaranteed that they take from Scotland and our Scottish assets, so desperately needed here.

Our rights, so well defined by that UDHR, with the UK as a signatory, do not depend in any way on anybody’s understanding of the nature of this Union.

Those rights can be acted upon today, and no domestic laws can interfere.

Scots have an undeniable right to speak on this matter and so we come to the inevitable question, by whom are we being prevented from declaring our universal rights?

Christopher Bruce

Taynuilt

Isn't the flaw in Alex Orr’s premise about Unionists setting out how we can have the referendum that Westminster and the Unionists don’t need to do anything (Onus on Unionist parties to set out how we can have indyref2, Letters, October 18)?

All they need to do is point to the Scotland Act, which we agreed to and have not campaigned to amend. Job done.

The only reason David Cameron allowed the Section 30 order for the 2014 referendum was because he considered the Union would win and it would bury any zeal for Scottish independence. He did, but it didn’t: indeed, the lies and unfulfilled promises made during that campaign simply added fuel to the independence campaign.

Emboldened by his “victory”, Cameron gambled again with the Brexit referendum. His gambit failed, he lost, his political career ended and he toddled off into political obscurity.

Westminster will not make the same mistake again.

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court judgement, Westminster will rely on the Scotland Act to deny democracy.

As colonial master, Westminster will not give up its colony. Scotland needs to demand and insist on its Scottish democratic rights as a nation, supposedly in partnership.

Indy will not happen unless and until we Scots make it so uncomfortable politically for Westminster they are forced to agree to it.

We need to show real desire and sacrifice by direct civil action through the streets or the workplace or whatever peaceful means and seek recourse to international law and resile from the Act of Union.

It’s about taking our rights back, not waiting for Westminster to deliver something it has no intention to.

Jim Taylor

Edinburgh

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All English imperialist governments, members thereof and hangers-on both present and past, are fully aware that all empires collapse eventually, either gradually or in a Berlin Wall instantaneous demolition. They are absolutely terrified of the final demise of their moribund, xenophobic structure which is now in its death throes. The sooner it and their superior attitudes are given the final coup de grace, the better it will be for all and lead to far more peaceable and productive relations within these islands.

Yes, it will be a difficult road ahead, but one very worthy of the effort involved with many triumphs and being responsible for our own mistakes as we re-establish a far better, more equal and more prosperous nation which takes care of ALL of its people and does not relegate the poorest to the scrapheap as has happened within the dis-United Kingdom for centuries. All positive-minded politicians, current and aspiring, no matter of which political persuasion, are invited to participate in the future of Scotland.

I met many people from other independent EU countries (and some from the US) when in Greece recently, all shocked at the behaviour of the English government, highly supportive of Scotland’s right to self-determination and very keen to see Scotland back within the EU (several spoke about the trashing of the Erasmus scheme). To paraphrase a notice which I spied on my travels: Subordi-Nation stokes indignation, imagi-Nation, resignation (from Westminster) and a Free NATION!

Have faith in each other – go for it!

Séamas Ó Dálaigh

Cala Nan Clach

ITV News had a feature on the hard times in the north of England. A local GP stated that people are not lifting prescriptions as they cannot afford the cost.

The next time you doubt the SNP’s social measures, prescriptions are free in the sense they are paid for by taxes and entitlement is free issue. A simple matter.

The distortion in the UK is becoming a crisis. This incorporated Union is rancid.

John Edgar

Kilmaurs

The Wee Ginger Dug’s passing reference to “this month’s Chancellor” (More than one Tory leader needs to go, The National, October 19) prompts me to speculate that the Westminster government’s avowed dismantlement of the BBC involves stealing their ideas. Since their regular presenter was involved in a media storm many years ago, Have I Got News For You has had an everlasting flow of guest presenters and Pointless recently followed suit when one of its presenters found something else to do. Despite the programmes’ continuing successes, I’m not sure that frequently changing senior government personnel will do anything but confirm their despicable anachronistic woefulness.

Willie Sinclair

Dykehead, Angus

As Scottish Labour attempts to take itself more seriously, the question needs to be asked of the party with one serving MP – Starmer and Sarwar, where are the quality candidates you intend to put forward for election?

As Britain declines daily on the international stage, it is quite clear that Labour would be totally ill-prepared for any imminent General Election in Scotland. The pronouncements of Starmer, Sarwar, Murray, Baillie, et al, do not resonate with the Scottish electorate. Furthermore, it is time the Yes movement came together and employed a media guru who shouts down at every turn the lies and fallacies promoted by the Unionist media, BBC, Pamela Nash types in Scottish society who promote only a negative outlook – an outlook no doubt promoted in fading colonies.

Scotland is not a colony and could stand proudly on the international stage as a paragon of virtue, self-reliance and as a peacemaking, peace-loving nation open to all people throughout the world, and not tied to bygone memories of a stained past of imperialism and colonialism – something which Labour failed to address when in power Keir Hardie must be turning in his grave when he ponders over what has succeeded him – a party of opportunists with mealy-mouthed commitments that they have no intention of fulfilling

Gus Connelly

Airdrie

While the list of adjectives to describe events at Westminster grows longer, the compliant silence from our mandated government is deafening!

What sort of emergency is required to kindle some passion in our representatives? Time is NOT on our side, time is of the essence! Action is needed, the disarray in Westminster is a golden opportunity that must not be missed, now is the time to present a referendum bill to Holyrood and have it passed and presented.

Westminster will contest, but a valid bill, passed democratically, will be upheld by international law. The will of the people is mightier than Westminster mutterings.

All empires end – the British empire is spluttering to its long-overdue demise. The citizens of Scotland demand an end to chaos and the formation of a caring state, where people are more important than profit.

The plight of the rUK is dire, and the shouts of selfishness will be heard, but remember this: when attending an air emergency, put an oxygen mask on yourself before you help others. Our help will be required and will be offered but never again in a Union.

The Scottish Government has been urged to recall by Alex Salmond and pass a referendum bill, it is time to facilitate the mandate(s).

For the children’s sake, support this!

Alan Black

via email

I found it particularly galling that, in the article starting on page 4 and continuing on page 5 of Wednesday’s National, (FM: One year until Scotland can choose a better future), there should be a statement by the Prime Minister’s Official spokesman telling us that, “It is not the time to be talking about another independence referendum” because “People in Scotland want their governments to be focused on the issues that matter to them – things like energy security, the cost of living and supporting Ukraine in their war against Russia.

I can’t understand why her spokesperson should make such an inaccurate statement. You see, the last time I looked, energy was a reserved matter; and so was defence so our Scottish government can do nothing about either of those issues unless it gets independence, and can then take charge of them. As for the cost of living, the whole crisis has been caused by the mismanagement of our economy by Westminster. So, again, it’s only with independence that we can get anything done about correcting that too.

However, I can’t understand how Nicola Sturgeon hopes to do anything to improve Scotland’s economy while remaining financially tied to Westminster by retaining the £ sterling. We need to ditch everything to do with Westminster from day one of independence – including not sharing their currency. There will undoubtedly be a period of negotiations between the referendum and actually becoming independent – about 18 months - during which we will still use sterling because we will still be part of the UK. But we should set up our “National Bank” during those 18 months and have our own currency ready to start from Day One of Independence. All of the Eastern European countries managed to move from the Russian rouble to their own individual currencies in a matter of months – not years. Scotland should be able to do the same.

Or, perhaps, it’s that our own First Minister doesn’t have the confidence in Scotland’s economy to start using the “pund Scots” from day one of an independent Scotland. If our economy is going to be that shaky, maybe we shouldn’t be considering independence at all?

Well, I don’t for one minute believe it will be at all shaky. ”Scotland the Brief” has produced statistics to show that we have the means to be a very successful small independent country exporting more than twice what the rest of the UK exports on a per head basis. Plus, we have an economy that stands at about £900.00 per head higher than the UK’s per head figure. We still have oil and gas and zinc mines and a gold mine and more than our share, on a per head basis, of the UK’s natural wealth. We have more than we need to be able to stand on our own feet.

So, let’s not denigrate our wee country by pretending we need to rely on the pound sterling rather than have our own currency from Day one. It’s bad enough to find that more and more ATMs in Scotland are actually issuing English banknotes and not Scottish ones, without being told that we will have to use English money after we become independent because Scottish money is somehow not good enough. Independence should mean exactly that - and not some sort of half and half situation.

Charlie Kerr

Glenrothes

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Reader Richard Walthew of Duns in Tuesday’s National repeats the oft quoted myth that it was the 1945 Labour Government that created NHS (and the Welfare State) in one of the greatest reforms in the world. The Romans and other Empires practised welfare state and Germany the first Industrialised Welfare State.

It must be restated again and again that the Welfare State was agreed by the wartime coalition Government. The army Education Corps was largely credited with organising the election for returning soldiers to vote for Labour. The hospitals were then run along military lines, withe Matron in charge of all aspects of the wards. Doctors and cleaners, etc, alike all deferred to Hattie Jake style “Carry On” Matrons. It was Labour that introduced semi privatisation with outsourced contracts, from time and motion clip boarders roaming the wards and well-paid bureaucrats, leading to Tory Blair’s Private Finance Initiative that is still being paid for and will cost the taxpayer forever into a British manana future. I do remember one such top brass admin chap, a Mr Peterkins, who was imported into Gartnavel Hospital and who was delighted to have cheaper yachting facilities in Hunterston than Cowes as his greatest admin achievement.

The main reason for the GB Welfare State, as partially accepted during the First World War, was that the German soldier was taller, fitter healthier and better educated, thanks to the Bismarckian Welfare State of the 1870’s. The Prussian Herr Chancelor was no socialist, any more than Chancer Herr Broon or Sir Keir Starmer. Liberal Home Secretary. Sir Winston Churchill agreed to free school milk during the WW1 for the same military reasons.

Whilst public education was introduced in the Highlands during WWII and universal education during the Reformation. England did not see public education till the 1870’s which took its time to run through till WW1. The reason being was the Church of England’s demands to run the education service. The Church of Scotland expressed no desire to interfere in public education. The Catholic Education Act was passed by a Liberal Government, not due to any sympathy, but to cause division, as they were in the process of being split over Home Rule for Ireland and Scotland. “mixed” schooling in Scotland worked quite well in the North and Borders. There are no “Protestant” school in Scotland, only non-Denominational schools. The Anglican Orange ascendancy in Ireland ensured the alienation of Catholic education, causing the “growth” of “hedgerow” Priests. Pun intended.

Again, it was a Liberal Civil Servant, the Keynesian Lord Beveridge, who designed the Welfare State and resigned in disgust at, Viscount Earl, Atlee’s’ refusal to go the whole way in creating a “cradle to the grave Welfare State. Again, it was Lords Harold Wilson and Callaghan who introduced further restrictions and austerity, leading to increased prescription charges, as did successive Labatory Governments. I do appreciate Mr Walthew’s points and Mr Lawson’s, whom he was gently debating with. I am also sure that both will cringe at the idea of Labour being describes as “Socialist” and being allowed anywhere near an anti-imperialist and free Scotland.

Donald Anderson

Glasgow

A few years ago, while discussing Scottish independence with a friend in the Democratic Party in America, he asked me how the name Great Britain came about. He was surprised to learn that it is a corruption of Gross Britannia, which was given by the Romans to what was then Britannia Superior (present day England south of the Thames) and Britannia Inferior (the larger portion) and only covered England to the border with what was then Caledonia, the land north of Hadrian’s Wall.

With the way the last few Conservative prime ministers have taken Great Britain, it has been a “Gross” insult to the intelligence of those who want independence, and it has certainly made Britannia Inferior again! Do we now concentrate on getting independence, or do we try and turn the UK around and make it better? Both could take some years to achieve!

Alexander Potts

Kilmarnock

Whatever one’s opinion on the content of the First Minister’s presentation on Monday, it must be a delight for journalists to know that they are engaging with a serious politician who will give them a straight answer even if the answer is not to their liking.

The political debate on the dissolution of the Union has moved on. No one believes that we cannot be as successful as any other North West European state. Success goes with the territory. The “Too, wee, too poor, etc.” has been superseded by the challenges of transition anent currency, borders, public funding, etc. Such challenges are not confined to Unionists, but some pro-Independence supporters are eager to see some certainty in the proposal.

The First Minister is right cautious insofar as a fast-changing world causes risk and uncertainty, though that should not blind her from seizing the opportunity to take Independence from the ashes of the Union.

It seems to me that the transition debate invites a different approach than those offered by “experts”.

The concern seems to be that an independent Scotland has to borrow on the international markets to make ends meet. Public services will take a hit and taxation will rise. Why? Is there a need to borrow? Could it be that the “experts” raison d’etre evaporates if there is no borrowing?

Our land can provide more than enough public funding to meet all the country’s needs and can provide a regular and constant monthly income to our government free from external influence or direction.

In his recent SNP conference speech, the redoubtable Rob Gibson expressed the indivisibility of independence and land reform, so I and many other SNP delegates are at a loss to understand why the use of our land to generate public funding is not central to the Scottish Government’s proposal to transition to Independence. It affords our government control of all our public funding up to and after Independence and releases the enterprise gene to blossom.

It’s a simple equation: Total Public Funding divided by the square meterage of all urban land type spaces in Scotland produces a rate per square metre. That rate multiplied by the square meterage of each space (ie individual land and the property on it) produce the total contribution to public funds by the owner of the space without the need for any other taxation.

Provided we have the certainty of regular public funding without borrowing, issues of what currency and when to use it can be decided when our government so determines.

Please, would our government explain why it won’t use the powers which it has to provide the public funding Scotland needs both now and to secure the votes of those who require the certainty that their benefits are safe as we transition to Independence?

Graeme McCormick

Arden by Loch Lomond

In a survey carried out in primary schools in England more than 80% of teachers said some children are going to school hungry, leaving them anxious, unable to concentrate with some resorting to stealing snacks from classmates or from food bins in school kitchens to get by. Almost a quarter of the teachers said they had seen some children skip lunch altogether purely due to poverty.

Some of the quotes from teachers were, “They are eating things like rubbers to have something in their tummies”, “Lunch boxes are just a doughnut or cold chips”, “Staff are feeding children with their own money”.

School meals are free for all primary age bairns here in Scotland, Wales will soon introduce the same and in Northern Ireland they are free for families earning below £14,000 per year. In England however it’s almost half of that, only families earning under £7,400 per year qualify. Not all families on Universal Credit get free school meals. Nearly 800,000 families fall through that gap. The celebrity chef Tom Kerridge stated, “The fact that Universal Credit doesn’t automatically mean that you should be getting free school meals, I just find absolutely ludicrous.”

The UK government’s response was that their expanded free school meals programme reaches 1.9 million children but it’s continually under review and up to £24 million pounds has been invested in a school breakfast programme. £24 million pounds for the whole of England! To put that into context that is only 12% of the value of London’s most expensive home which was recently put on the market at an eye watering £200 million quid! It’s a 20 bedroom mega-mansion in Knightsbridge. Not flats, just one home!

Following the consequences of recent decisions made by a heartless, soulless, callous Tory Prime Minister, the next time a slice of the cake from Westminster is delivered to Scotland it will have been so severely diminished, it will effectively be a few crumbs. Our First Minister and her colleagues are therefore seriously going to have sleepless nights on deciding on spending priorities.

Surely, if it’s not time now then when the hell will be the time for those in Scotland with the proverbial broadest shoulders to be expected to contribute significantly more? If they have anything about them they would feel privileged to do so.

I look forward to Nicola and her colleagues, against all odds, to continue to prioritise resources starting with families with the least with the prioritising trickling down (see what I did there!) to those more comfortably off.

If Nicola listened to the Scottish Tories oor bairns would be eating rubbers! Naw, the mair Ross and his hapless Tory cronies greet aboot Nicola’s decisions the mair she’s getting it right!”

Ivor Telfer

Dalgety Bay, Fife

Try as I can, I simply cannot find anything positive whatsoever about Douglas Ross. He really is a stupid, stupid man.

I am all for listening to other people’s points of views and worries but Douglas Ross along with Stephen Kerr, Andrew Bowie, Anas Sarwar, Murdo Frazer and the like seem so absolutely hellbent on trying to ensure that Scotland, and it’s children never at least have the chance to prosper, that it’s truly disturbing.

They seem absolutely determined for our children to go to sleep at night beside a monstrous pile of nuclear warheads, for our towns and cities to crumble into the seas such is the pittance we get back from helping keep our neighbours afloat, and to ensure our pensioners have the worst pensions in the so called civilised world.

There’s no other way to say this but people like these are so anti-Scottish it is quite simply untrue. Is there another country on earth where some of its own people fight tooth and nail to try to ensure their own children do not get the chance of a better life?

The SNP are far from perfect but compared to the crooked Chimpanzee’s Tea Party down in London, Independence simply cannot come a moment too soon.

No doubt there will be the natural teething problems, but who really cares as we will be free from arguably the most corrupt government and establishment on earth, so we can all work through any initial problems we face as we must never forget that we are one of the most naturally resource rich countries on the planet, and when you are that rich, everything is so much easier, and let’s be honest, is the only reason we are not already independent.

Iain K

Dunoon