Matters of fact

What is interesting is that in response to my letter of 26 March, which correctly claimed that the Americans had fought a “successful war of independence”, Mr Gray, clearly an old-style imperialist, described the American revolution as being based on a “stunt” and that their defiance of Britain was “greatly exaggerated as acts of libertarian fervour”.

Many Americans will be delighted with such a partisan description!

Mr Gray accuses me of propagating a “nationalist slur” regarding the bribery of Scottish notables to accede to union. I can assure Mr Gray that I do not cast slurs on people, whether I agree with them or not, nor is the bribery allegation a “slur” but recorded historical fact and of course chimes neatly with current activities by the Westminster government!

“The Duke of Hamilton switched sides for money. He was heavily in debt and the promise of honours was irresistible.

“After the Act of Union was finally passed in 1707, he was made an English Duke, given the Order of both the Thistle and Garter and subsequently appointed British Ambassador to Paris.” (Tom Steel, Scotland’s Story. There are other sources.)

The “Scottish banks” incurred 90 per cent of their debt in England and outside of the United Kindgdom – probably another pointer to imbalance!

Scots influence in the United Kingdom may well be, and have been, disproportionate – is Mr Gray implying this is/was due to positive discrimination, or is there another reason?

Scots influence outside of these islands is not germane to my earlier letter.

Off now to visit friends in the north-east of England, who will, no doubt, regale me with their views of balance in this United Kingdom. Oddly, Midlanders feel pretty much the same!

Bill McLean

Newmills

Dunfermline, Fife