Arguments for the union don't add up

Firstly, the fragile economy. But who was it promised "no more boom and bust" and introduced "light touch regulation" leading to the loss of British companies and jobs and a massive increase in debt? Who was it sold off our gold reserves at "rock bottom prices" and raided pension funds leaving many older people struggling and occupying jobs which young people need? Who, due to their ineptitude, has amassed the biggest debt on earth, led the world into recession and ensured Scotland, which lags the rest of the UK, will be last out of it?

Wasn't all of this down to Gordon Brown and his incompetent Labour government? Many small nations have suffered in the recession but I see no sign of any dashing back to the arms of their colonial masters.

Secondly, Mr Farquharson cites Islamic terrorism and the attack on Glasgow Airport. Has he considered that, if we had not been part of the union, we would not have been involved in an illegal war and another we cannot win. It was this "strong union" and the vanity of Labour politicians that led Britain into war for a lie. Has Mr Farquharson considered that if we were not part of this "strong" union, the attack may never have happened.

Thirdly, Mr Farquharson cites climate change.

Surely he knows that Scotland is leading the international effort to counter climate change? Westminster, in the persons of Ed Miliband and Prime Minister Brown, failed to make any impact on the climate talks in Copenhagen, except to annoy the Chinese, who care little for Britain's "strong" and "flexible" posturing. Following this particular arrogance, a Briton was executed in China – I wonder if Mr Brown and Mr Miliband have any understanding of the Chinese mentality?

Mr Farquharson postulates that "the case for more powers for the Scottish Parliament grows more cogent and irresistible by the day"; given the shambles that is Westminster, the case for independence is almost overwhelming.

Mr Farquharson should be cautious about what he wishes for – those who want the best of both worlds usually end up with the best of neither.

Bill McLean, Dunfermline