Flawed argument

Colin Hamilton (Letters, 24 June) shows convincingly that the case of the group of 11 
lawyers for a written constitution is flawed. Noticeably, ­however, their support for a written constitution fails to mention once a commitment to liberty.

It could be thought that liberty or freedom should be the “founding commitment” of the constitution.

To “secure” what the United States constitution calls the “blessing of liberty” needs more than just rhetoric.

How comfortably, for instance, does liberty of the individual fit with “state guardians” for all children?

Or what are the implications for free markets with proposals for an “economic national plan”?

Arguably, both of these policies could be challenged in a constitutional court as contrary to individual liberty.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie

Colin Hamilton’s illuminating letter indicating the flaws in the argument for a Yes vote as set out by Zenon Bankowski and his learned colleagues in Monday’s Scotsman, omits the most salient consideration of all, and the real purpose of the letter.

The volume of the legal work required by a newly independent Scottish Government will be enormous and ongoing, and the signatories do not want to be mistaken for No voters.

Peter Laidlaw

Bramdean Rise

Edinburgh