Tough choice

The dispute at Grangemouth (Business, 1 October) is a perfect opportunity for Alex Salmond to demonstrate he can run an independent country.

He is faced with a strange case of double blackmail – the unions against the company and the people, the company against the people and the government so that it (an oil company, and monopoly no less) can squirm out of paying retirement benefits.

If it were not for the pressing need for energy, I would be tempted to say a pox on both of them for being so selfish. I still find a very tempting choice.

Thomas Crowley

East Linton, East Lothian