Letter: Banking on MSPs

WHILE Robert Veitch's argument (Letters, 2 May) that Scottish businesses succeeded over Irish businesses because of access to the British market was true in the past, now we have a truly global interconnected market.

The rise in electronic communications means that many businesses can be located in Scotland and return their profits (and associated taxes) to the Scottish market while dealing everywhere.

What matters are the local conditions to base businesses here. We need minimal bureaucratic interference and a business tax regime which makes being based in Scotland worthwhile. We also need to educate our population to the benefits of being involved in successful locally-owned businesses.

This election is not about a referendum on independence, since that is not going to succeed until more than half the population want it. It is about running Scotland for Scotland's benefit.

The elections for MSPs are in many ways more important than the elections for MPs since MSPs have a more direct effect on the day-to-day running of Scotland and setting the conditions for a society which can improve. The reality is that Scottish matters figure in only a minimal way at Westminster. If Scotland is to succeed, then it is the MSPs who have to take the responsibility.

BRUCE D SKIVINGTON

Pairc a Ghlib

Strath, Gairloch, Wester Ross