Glad morning
Sir: You in England may find little for optimism in 1979, but I can assure you that the outlook is rosier, far, in Scotland. We expect to win a resounding 'Yes' vote in the referendum which will lead to the setting up of an Assembly and a modicum of selfgovernment. It is a tremendous opportunity for Scotland to break away from the deadly politics of government from Westminster.
Gloomily you purse your governessy lips and say (6 January): 'in March the people of Scotland can vote to preserve the Union, or they can take a step whose likely consequence will be the end of the United Kingdom itself.' What is so sacred, or so attractive, about the UK? Once upon a time it w.as an advantage for Scotland to unite with England — or so it seemed in those early days of the British Empire. At that time there were great opportunities for enterprising Scots. But since then the deal has been too heavily in favour of England and we in Scotland can see no further gain from the Union. After all, we are in Europe now, so Westminster becomes just another, unnecessary, tier of government.
The Crown is quite useful, we'll stick to that, but please, stop shaking your editorial head in that, pompous mid-Victorian way. We might well do better, even you should admit, on our own.
Marjorie Linklater 20 Main Street, Kirkwall, Orkney
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