Letters: Jim Sillars is showing his double standards

Ignoring the root causes of Greece’s financial crisis, Mr Sillars cites the EU’s strictures on the Greek Government’s handling of their economy as “crucifixion”. Perhaps Mr Sillars could explain what he thinks the EU should have done, and also why it was wrong to take action in support of the banks who loaned their depositors’ funds to Greece? Given his apparent stance, should we have just let RBS collapse, sacrificing the jobs of thousands of Scottish employees and damaging the welfare of their families dependent on its continued existence?

Isn’t one of the least edifying aspects of politicians when they seek one rule for them and a different one for others? Mr Sillars would have Scots determine their future, but there it ends. No such equal right for others like the Shetlanders; another ex-politician lacking consistency and betraying double standards.

We know why though. Because Mr Sillars himself tells us that to lose dominion over the Shetlands would be to lose control of vast tracts of oil fields. Forget political integrity when money comes into the mix. Once independent, Mr Sillars and his ilk would wish to create the same conditions in Scotland that brought us to seek independence from Westminster and which would stimulate others’ desire to be independent from us. As I said, my standards are higher. Wouldn’t it be self-defeating to merely recreate the autocratic culture and failures of Westminster in Edinburgh? Isn’t independence about creating the better more inclusive government that Shetlanders would want to be a part of, by persuasion, not subjugation?

Doesn’t it ill behove the independence campaign to depend on using existing oil resources as the reason for independence? Whilst there could be a short-term revenue benefit, which would be an opportunity for the Scottish Government to invest wisely like Norway, the future of Scotland’s economic prospects is far brighter than a diminishing resource that new greener technology is already developing at a pace to render redundant. Our future is renewables; investment in the technology to design and build it here and export both for income, and the use of it to make Scotland a greener more pleasant place for Scots and our descendants to thrive in. Scotland’s future is bright without oil – that’s the message we need to convince wavering voters to choose self-determination.

In his confusion, Mr Sillars tells us that the independence campaign should not be about Westminster’s failings and that the message should be a positive one about Scotland’s future. Then he goes on to say that the reason we should be independent is because the UK Government has held Scotland’s development back. So, Mr Sillars, which is it?

For me, and I suspect many Scots, Westminster’s disregard for Scotland, almost to the point of political and economic abuse, is precisely the reason why independence has never been such an important political issue, much more so that in 2014. And nothing has highlighted this more than the Cabinet clique ignoring the Scottish Government in its autocratic handing of Brexit, and it emasculating Westminster MPs to drive it through regardless; “democracy” usurped by a political clique serving its own narrow interests and ignoring the rest of us.

I voted to remain in the EU, as did many Scots, the “majority” according to Mr Sillars’s own political standard. Again, once independent we may well have a subsequent vote to determine whether Scotland’s interests are best served in re-joining the European project. We will decide then.

Unlike Mr Sillars I have no need to brandish my “credentials” to prove myself the biggest schoolboy in the playground. I’m just happy to welcome opinion from all as commenting equals, basing our views on our own life experience, applied thought and the best legacy we can leave for those following us; the ideal platform they can thrive on and build their own future.

Jim Taylor
Edinburgh

I have no idea of the internal matters of the SNP, but think we all entitled to an opinion. Jim Sillars is acting like a gift to the Unionist parties by continually undermining the leader of the party that has iindependence as its core belief.

I understand it is not easy for him to accept he is no longer in a position of influence within the independence movement, but to constantly undermine those who dedicate their very being to it is beyond logic.

Whatever he is up to or whatever his particular beef is, can I just say to him: "Stop, you are damaging the fight".

I would further add all this constant bickering about what type of Scotland we should have is nonsense. The fight is about getting independence – all this left/right/in/out socialist republic stuff is a gift to our enemies.

There are many out there in Yes groups up and down the country who go about the task with open minds and remain focused on the prize and fight to achieve it. Unfortunately there are some like Sillars who are undermining all the hard work these fine people do simply because his nose has been put out of joint.

Bryan Auchterlonie
Perthshire