Arts jobs for all

Without actually holding a one-to-one interview with every person who works in the arts in Edinburgh, it would be impossible to state accurately how many were English. I can, however, cite plenty of people who both live and work in Scotland who are Scots and who sound English (myself among them).

As to a "unionist conspiracy" that Ms Burchill suggests, I suspect it could be that she is right. I wouldn't call it a "conspiracy" as such. It's what happens in a nation that allows free exchange of ideas and people between its constituent parts in what is very much a union.

That may explain why English people have to put up with Scots running several of their important arts functions – such as The British Museum and a number of important art galleries in London and elsewhere – and listen to Andrew Marr or Jim Naughtie on Radio 4, not to mention too many other Scots running things (colonially, perhaps?)

ANDREW HN GRAY

Craiglea Drive

Edinburgh

I am completely baffled by your correspondents who complain about a bias they perceive against the employment of Scots in Scottish arts bodies (Letters, 22 February). Do they not realise that their concerns are pure, unadulterated cultural fascism?

Just as the great philosophers of the world knew no boundaries, neither should the artists.

Sophie L Anderson, in particular, felt she was crossing the boundaries of political correctness in voicing her anxieties. Too true she was, but it's a bit more than that. Perhaps she hasn't grasped that in an egalitarian society the only criterion that truly matters is merit and anything else is unfair preference. Nothing to do with being PC or illegal. It's simply a case of the best man for the job.

In any case, if the same self-centred considerations were applied world-wide and national jobs were restricted to locals, Scotland would be buried under millions of Scots returning home looking for work.

ROBERT VEITCH

Paisley Drive

Edinburgh