Letters: No need to march, we’re doing fine under the Union

THE march through Edinburgh on Saturday was about independence and yet was supposed to be a non-political occasion. Yet the SNP are custodians of the independence campaign, and it is their own flagship policy.

The argument given by the SNP is that it is building a future for Scotland. But what kind of a future is it talking about?

Scotland’s economy is not doing too badly under the present “austerity economy” and it is because of the devolution system. This is the real reason that Scotland is surviving most of the cuts in employment and public services.

What we should be campaigning for is to strengthen our links as an integral part of the United Kingdom, by giving Scotland more powers but under the devolution constitution.

Chas Dennis, Niddrie Marischal Road, Edinburgh

Break away from waste, not English

I WAS proud to march in Edinburgh for independence. As I see it, Scotland has a historical opportunity to break away, not from the “English”, but from a wasteful British State run by privileged individuals, some unelected, who put greed and self-interest before the people.

Against the will of large sections of the British public, money is wasted on Trident, and our young soldiers are put in harm’s way in illegal wars.

This is unacceptable. A lack of proper debate on the pros and cons of independence has been disappointing in my view.

Jack Fraser, Clayknowes Drive, Musselburgh

Questions remain over nationality

At what point will people living in Scotland get to choose their nationality if Scotland does get independence? Does owning a home make you Scottish? I’m currently living in Edinburgh but have both a UK and US passport. If Scotland becomes independent, how do I “stay” British?

I know this sounds a bit silly, but no-one seems to be asking the basic questions. There may be people who care equally as much about this as they do about Trident or membership in the EU.

Kate Gray, Easter Belmont Road, Edinburgh

Talks to find the best way forward

I ATTENDED the public meeting in Portobello Town Hall looking at options for a new school following the recent High Court judgement.

Your report (News, September 22) emphasises the conciliatory approach of the group who oppose the school in the park.

The dominant mood of those I spoke with, nonetheless, was that the best way forward is a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to allow the school to be built as planned. The speech by Andy Wightman, emphasising that the will of local people could give legal and political legitimacy to such a move, also seemed well received.

Cllr Cameron Rose, Conservative Education spokesman

Change won’t give bin men lift

Even if the bin men do not have to lift any extra black bags, now with a two-week collection, the green bins are going to be extra full and more difficult to handle.

So the bin men are going to be under a more than usual series of stressful lifting and pushing.

Tom Reilly, Esslemont Road, Edinburgh

Cost of turbines is a massive blow

An amber weather alert was issued for Scotland.

Bang goes my golf.

Then it was revealed that £500,000 in compensation had paid out to developers in a single day because the grid lacked the capacity to use it.

The yearly total must be horrendous. The anti-renewables lobby has been pointing this out for some time.

Denmark generates 20 per cent of its electricity from wind but uses only half and the rest goes to waste or is sold at a loss.

Then all thoughts of weather vanished with a story that winds above the Arctic were found to influence events deep in the ocean with this leading to changes in the weather.

And here is us all being brainwashed into thinking that it was all due to man-made global warming but highly subsidised wind turbines would solve the problem.

Clark Cross, Springfield Road, Linlithgow