The right thing

I AM not a Labour Party supporter, but I am sick of hearing the SNP’s criticism of Labour for standing alongside the Tories in the Better Together campaign, and this from a party that helped put Maggie Thatcher in power in 1979.

Given the slick and well-funded Yes campaign, what else were they supposed to do when faced with something as serious and threatening as the break-up of the 300-year Union?

Saving the Union was a hugely important common cause which was bound to unite those whose political agendas might not otherwise coincide, just like the SNP was linked with the extreme left on the other side of the argument.

Critics say Labour should have campaigned separately. I think the term divide and rule would apply if they had done so, with the Yes camp picking up on and emphasising every little discrepancy in what the two parties said.

I cannot understand why Labour should be punished for doing the right thing, just as I cannot understand why the Lib Dems are being punished for putting the national interest first and going into coalition with the Tories in 2010.

BARRY TURNER

Carberry Close

Musselburgh