Letter: Big is better

John Swinney stated: "Scotland can no longer afford the Union" (your report, 16 October) citing the success of similar-sized independent European nations such as the Netherlands. I ask him to look not to Europe but to Asia for a role model.

Hong Kong (population 7.1 million) became a success thanks to informed leadership, sound financial management, a small public sector, a hard-working educated population with great entrepreneurial skills, a constant stream of migrant workers, a basic benefit system and very low taxation.

Scotland (population 5.1 million) lacks several vital components for success as an independent nation whose future will depend on prudent financial management and encouraging more inward investment through increasing tax incentives.