Grey areas

Voting Yes will benefit the poorest in Scotland and lead to a fairer society. So we are told by Deputy First Minster Nicola Sturgeon.

How does the white paper policy of giving a 3 per cent tax cut to directors of businesses and refusing to raise taxes to match, eg Labour’s commitment to reimposing the 50 per cent rate on those earning over £100,000, fit in with that objective?

When grilled on this issue on STV Alex Salmond squirmed in visible discomfort and failed to come up with an explanation.

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The contradictions in his policies having been exposed, he sought refuge in what has now become the stock prevarication tactic.

When the white paper is shown to be not a blueprint for a fairer and more prosperous society but more akin to a work of fiction entitled Project Fantasy then the line is that the referendum is not about the SNP or Alex Salmond or any political party, but about democracy and choice and other fine ideals.

This is a fundamentally dishonest approach. Many voters have been attempting to arrive at a rational decision based on the contents of the white paper rather than an emotional disposition in favour of separation.

If it is now being glibly asserted that its policies may or may not be implemented and that everything is up for grabs then do they not deserve to have it spelled out to them very clearly?

Ironically, the Better Together campaign is pilloried for doing just that.

Colin Hamilton

Braid Hills Avenue