Ukip spur to Yes

I certainly consider Scottish independence to be above all a noble cause.

Furthermore, I have little sympathy for those who enthuse about a Union that has led to a destruction of our language, the depopulation (and consequent decay) of some of the most beautiful parts of our country, the misappropriation of our ­resources and, perhaps most ­important of all, the serious damage that has been done to the confidence of generation after generation of Scotland’s young people.

On the other hand, I still ­retain a degree of emotional loyalty towards Great Britain. My grandfather fought at the Somme and my father, besides being among the last to leave the beach at Dunkirk, was one of the first to splash ashore on D-Day.

I supported the campaign for a Scottish Parliament in 1997 partly because I believed that this was the only way to maintain the Union. Voting No seems to be the logical option.

This, at least, was my view until fairly recently. The great surge in support for Ukip in the English local elections – together with a recent poll showing rising support for a Ukip/Conservative coalition – implies the return of Thatcherism and this has changed my mind completely.

I now intend to vote Yes.

Donald Campbell

Spottiswoode Street

Edinburgh