Brittle Union

Published on 26/03/2012 00:00

Alexander McKay (Letters, 24 March) really should brush up on his history. Americans fought a successful war of independence to remove British rule and consensually formed a nation that became the most prosperous the world has ever seen. By contrast, Scotland was bribed and coerced into union with England against the wishes of the people – some of the consequences are there to this day.

The constituent parts of the United States of America are just that, states within a federation – but fortunately for them they enjoy more autonomy than the nation of Scotland has ever been allowed in this unbalanced Union. No wonder I have never met an American who regrets their “separation”. I’m afraid this inaccurate portrayal does little for unionism and continues to portray that cause as thin and brittle.

Bill McLean

Rosemill Court, Newmills Dunfermline, Fife