Time we recognised the strength in diversity

Published on 05/08/2012 00:00

YOUR editorial “Being British” (29 July) rather missed the point. As you stated, what Danny Boyle’s Olympic opening ceremony extravaganza “celebrated was Britain’s diversity” and if the Scots decide that they would rather govern themselves than be ruled by a bunch of numpties in 10 Downing Street or Westminster then that is another aspect of the rich diversity which ­exists in these islands.

Britain is not a state. It is an island in which Wales, Scotland and England have separate identities and even within England there is enormous cultural diversity.

If the Scots decide they will stand on their own two feet, then the referendum could release an enormous “independence dividend” for all of the peoples in these islands. Britain could become a term like Scandinavia, standing for progress, international co-operation and a partnership of equals, instead of banking failures, illegal wars and the absurd farce of Prime Minister’s Questions.

An early aspect of this “independence dividend” could arise from the scrapping of Trident, which would release billions of taxpayers’ money to be spent on more socially useful projects.

What I think Boyle tried to show us at the opening of the games was that our diversity is our strength, and when we recognise how different we are and even how differently we govern ourselves then that will be when the world will sit up and take notice of the peoples of this small but pretty significant island.

George Leslie, North Glassock, Fenwick