Letter: Big is better

John Swinney stated: "Scotland can no longer afford the Union" (your report, 16 October) citing the success of similar-sized independent European nations such as the Netherlands. I ask him to look not to Europe but to Asia for a role model.

Hong Kong (population 7.1 million) became a success thanks to informed leadership, sound financial management, a small public sector, a hard-working educated population with great entrepreneurial skills, a constant stream of migrant workers, a basic benefit system and very low taxation.

Scotland (population 5.1 million) lacks several vital components for success as an independent nation whose future will depend on prudent financial management and encouraging more inward investment through increasing tax incentives.

Immediate cuts to the grossly overstaffed public sector (one in four people employed) and the promotion of free enterprise through tax incentives are necessary.

On her present budget, Scotland cannot afford free care for the elderly, free travel, winter fuel allowances and free prescriptions for the over-60s, no university fees, primary classes of 18 and so many benefits for teenagers who choose to become unmarried mothers. Besides, this is the culture of dependence.

Will reality only come with independence?

Margaret Wotherspoon

Margaret Rose Avenue

Edinburgh

Your Unionist correspondents may care to note from that the UK is ranked 13th in the Legatum Prosperity Index (your report, 25 October).

Of the 12 countries ranked above the UK only the US has a larger population. Indeed, six out of the top 12 have populations of less than ten million.

So much for the Unionist claim that Scotland is too small to go it alone.

Indeed, Ireland and Iceland, despite their well-publicised problems, are still ranked ahead of the UK.

There is no reason why Scotland, which has more natural resources than both these countries, could not be an economic success.

Colin McAllister

South Street

St Andrews, Fife