Letters: SNP is promoting bizarre version of independence

The vision of independence he is offering us seems to include an octogenarian Head of State based in England, unfilled Scottish university places that cannot be offered to Scots, membership of, but no control of, a military alliance that espouses nuclear weapon first strikes, a currency controlled by an English Treasury, and immediate obedience of any order the Chinese government gives concerning our relations with the occupied country of Tibet.

That’s a pretty weird kind of independence, isn’t it?

David Fiddimore, Nether Craigwell, Calton Road, Edinburgh

Nationalists are living in the past

THERE is no clear reason why we should have an independent Scotland.

We have a devolved Scottish parliament that has actually strengthened the bonds of Scottish life at home and abroad.

It is said that the first 500 years of any institution’s history are always the most difficult; the Union, which has lasted 300 years, is proof of that. But devolution has been the most radical change since.

Our ties through devolution have strengthened our bonds and values.

Britain is a country of shared values and social justice.

The Nationalist cause is one of past centuries and not of modern times.

Chas Dennis, Niddrie Marischal Road, Edinburgh

The Afghan war cannot be won

The Scottish Socialist Party has been calling on the UK Government to bring the troops home from Afghanistan for some time.

We collected 100,000 signatures on a petition and sent it to David Cameron.

We received a reply this week saying that the occupation serves to the UK’s national security.

The USA invaded Afghanistan 11 years ago.

The attacks on the US and Britain were not carried out by Afghans, yet 60,000 have now been killed. So far, 423 British servicemen and women have also been killed.

The only way we can stop this endless killing in the name of “making the world a safer place” is to learn from our experiences, and that’s exactly what those in favour of our occupation of Afghanistan are not willing to do.

The British Army is going into schools to recruit our kids.

The absence of any jobs, let alone decent-paying secure jobs, makes them easy targets.

Paul Jordan, Scottish Socialist Party, McNeill Street, Edinburgh

Sir Chris must be put on pedal-stal

Surely there has to be a plaque to recognise Sir Chris Hoy’s achievements at the Meadowbank Sports Centre, and a statue of him on Princes Street among the other great people which adorn the centre of our city. For what he has done, there has to be a prominent tribute to him for all locals and tourists to see.

Alex Paterson, Edinburgh

Pull brakes on Hoy coverage

SIR Chris Hoy wouldn’t have received more coverage if he had personally defused a nuclear bomb in the middle of London and discovered a cure for cancer.

I know it’s all very good, but he’s just a very good CYCLIST for goodness sake!

Dave Warren, Morningside, Edinburgh

Candlemakers burned brightly

I AM interested in Henry Steuart Fothringham’s explanation as to the omission of the Printers and Brewers from the list of Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh (Letters, August 9) but indignant that he made no reference to the Incorporation of Candlemakers of Edinburgh (chartered 1517), one of the most active trades and, at one time, the wealthiest and most illuminating.

The historic Incorporation of Candlemakers features, along with the other old Edinburgh trades, in a free exhibition currently open to the public at 61 Melville Street.

Peter Rae, Immediate Past Deacon of the Candlemakers