Love’s Labour lost

As further evidence is revealed, almost daily, of the decadence at the heart of the British establishment, Colin Hamilton (Letters, 15 July) continues to grasp at straws in support of our outdated and close to defunct constitutional arrangements.

While there are many discussions to be had around what choices an independent Scotland should make, including our commitment to the EU or alternative trade organisations, what is not in doubt is that the arrangements that served many of the people of these islands well for the last 300 years, particularly the elite of the British establishment, are not fit for purpose in meeting the aspirations of most ambitious but socially conscious people over the next 300 years.

The heyday of the British Empire has long gone and Westminster increasingly plays a subservient role in administering decisions made in Brussels or Strasbourg, a situation that is essentially supported by all three of the major Westminster parties.

Rather than dogged adherence to the conservative ways of the past, the changing global economy demands changes in governmental and commercial structures, as well as practices, to stimulate new ideas and new solutions.

In response to those such as Nigel May, who argues (Letters, same day) that Scotland should remain in the Union to help fight the “social democratic” cause for the whole of the UK, that battle was effectively lost with the emergence of New Labour.

Over decades when Labour enjoyed success at all levels of government, the disparity in earnings between the rich and the poor continued to grow.

If Mr May genuinely wishes to see a “fairer” future emerge for the people of these islands in the coming decades then he should support independence for Scotland in the knowledge that we can demonstrate there is a better way forward for all of us.

Stan Grodynski

Longniddry

East Lothian