A kingdom united in its opinions?

FOLLOWING the article by Mark Casci (Yorkshire Post, January 11) concerning the Scottish proposal to break from the UK and become an independent state, as Mark points out, will the referendum be on the basis “in or out” and will the Scottish people be given all the facts?

Mr Salmond advises the “Scots” that they would be better off without Westminster. If this is so, would someone please clarify the following points:

1. The UK has a considerable “debt” so if the Scots part company what would be the position, ie their percentage of the debt?

2. For many years the Scottish people have received revenue from Westminster which enables them to provide free university, education and elderly care so what would happen if a total break occurred?

3. What would be the situation re the revenue from the North Sea oil and gas?

From: David W Wright, Uppleby, Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

DAVID Cameron is quite right to propose a referendum on the Scottish devolution issue in spite of Alex Salmond’s opposition.

This, along with the in or out issue of our continued membership of the disastrous EU must not be denied the electorate any more for the longer these vital issues are ignored the electorate’s patience will diminish.

Scotland can then apply to join the EU as a sovereign state and then perhaps the electorate and the SNP will soon realise that they would be better off remaining as part of the United Kingdom.

From: Mike Nash, Great Ayton.

I NOTE that Mr Salmond does not wish to hold a referendum until autumn 2014, whereas Mr Cameron would like one significantly sooner.

Bearing in mind the abilities of our previous Prime Minister and Chancellor, both Scottish, and the Prime Minister before that, Scottish educated, wouldn’t David Cameron be better served by offering an early referendum to the English asking whether they want independence from Scotland?

From: Robert Craig, Priory Road, Weston-super-Mare.

IT seems that the English Democrats have put the wind up David Cameron.

In a letter to the Business Secretary Vince Cable, the party’s leader Robin Tilbrook called for a judicial inquiry into the allocation of geological assets between England and Scotland, in particular oil and gas.

In the absence of a satisfactory response, Mr Tilbrook said that the English Democrats would go to the United Nations or other competent international jurisdiction. Cameron has reacted by threatening to impose a referendum on Scottish independence which would pre-empt a ruling on the distribution of the assets.

From: David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.

DAVID Cameron ought to consider several facts before pursuing this a referendum on Scottish independence.

Firstly, the SNP won a clear majority in Scotland in May 2011 to form their Government without any “help” from other parties.

Secondly, the SNP stated clearly in their electoral manifesto that the vote would be in the latter part of their term in office, and thus they are carrying out exactly what they stated ( unlike most political parties).

Thirdly, the Tories are immensely unpopular in Scotland , so this “interference” is unwise.

Fourthly, only Scots should decide when to vote and which way to vote.

Fifth, David Cameron is not in the same league as SNP Leader Alex Salmond, when it comes to cunning, timing, cleverness, reading the moods, politics, guile and popularity. We should leave Scotland to her own devices, preferably 100 per cent.

From: Terry Duncan, Greame Road, Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

IT is time that the Saltire, ie the flag of Scotland, should be raised across the world by Clansmen whose roots lie within the heather hills and lowlands north of the border with England, in defiance of a young man, who is shaming the name of the Clan Cameron which fought since the 15th century for the rights of the Scots to defend it’s land from all invaders.

They should bombard the home of Cameron-the-Lesser with letters and emails because of his efforts to sully the names of his ancestors who fought to defend Scotland from all invaders.

This is an opportunity for the American clansmen and their offspring, along with Scots from other former dominions, to rise up and make a mark on UK history, by defending the rights of Scots to go their own way.

The Scots can stand on their own feet and hold their ground!

From: G Heppell, Riseborough Road, York.

If the Scots are to have a referendum on leaving the union with England, it is only fair that we English are asked if we wish to be rid of the Scots.

It should not be forgotten that the Barnett Formula gives preferential treatment to Scotland and that it was the Scots – Messrs Blair, Brown and Darling, who brought the country to bankruptcy. We can then have an English Parliament.