JOHN Hamilton (Letters, July 28) correctly acknowledges that England, with its larger financial resources, would no doubt refuse temporary borrowing to independent Scotland, precisely because we would be no longer part of the Union and would be too wee (and poor and stupid) to arrange this for ourselves. This is point is all too often made by Prime Minister Johnson and his lackeys, during their disingenuous havering.
However, as an independent country our lockdown (and border closures for unnecessary travel) could have been made much sooner, with a much lower Covid-19 death toll, and our national finances far less affected. The example of New Zealand has been well publicised, but this country
has the advantage of being surrounded by oceans and being 2000km from Australia, its nearest sizeable neighbour.
READ MORE: Why should Scotland pay off UK debts it did not create?
Of greater significance to our situation is Slovenia, which has a population of 2.1 million, four neighbouring countries including Italy, and is part of the EU. Its latest reported Covid-19 deaths total 117. If Slovenia and many other small countries can do it, we could also.
J Edwards
West Lothian
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel