The military vote

SO LORD Lang, and a group of his fellow peers in the unelected House of Lords, have suggested that somehow, by voting Yes in the referendum, we would be dishonouring the memory of those who fought shoulder to shoulder in the battles of the past three centuries, and who serve together today (your report, 31 January).

At least Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has had the political nous to deplore the tone of these remarks.

Having served in the British Army for seven years, plus a 
further six years in the Territorials, I don’t think I would be 
dishonouring my daughter were I to vote Yes, even though she served in Germany, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Nor would I be dishonouring my father, who served with the Argylls in Korea. Nor my grandfather, who served in the Royal Fusiliers (an English regiment) in the First World War, and who was taken prisoner by the 
Germans in 1917.

Before commenting on 
service matters, perhaps peers should tell us if, when, and where they themselves served in the military.

Or are they just worried about losing their seats in the House of Lords in the event of Scotland regaining its independence?

KEITH HALLEY

Newbattle Abbey Crescent

Dalkeith

I see that Lord Lang has suggested that independence would dishonour the sacrifices made in common cause.

If one listed the acts of dishonourable behaviour by Westminster it would probably fill an issue of The Scotsman with ease.

Westminster is by no means an honourable institution. It has done things in the name of the nation which are utterly reprehensible.

The problem for Westminster is that “Project Fear” is stumbling and it has to find a new name.

It is called “Project Guilt”. It would appear that the psychological war for Scotland’s soul is about to enter a new phase.

George Mossman

Letham

Fife