I FOLLOW the debate on Scottish independence as I did 40 years ago, when the turnout to vote in a referendum was very low.

Since then nationalism has grown and the Scots Nats are the biggest political party north of the border.

I have yet to hear any Scot, in this debate as in the last, proclaim he was proud to be British and wished to remain so. Indeed the debate is all about money.

I feel that unless the majority of Scots vote “No” by a massive margin, then the Government should realise the debate will not go away and further referendums in the future will have to be held.

A better idea in a close-call referendum would be to give a future date when independence would be obtained, perhaps in five years.

This would give both the Scots and English time to work out the difficulties this will cause — currency, the Queen, NATO, assets and debts. After that date, a further few years of assistance until they are fully independent.

This would create good neighbourly relations necessary for the future of both countries.

What is more likely to happen is more sweeteners to Scotland — free education, free health care, no bedroom tax, more Scots in Westminster. Bigger and better benefits, all paid for by the English taxpayer, therefore no real democracy.

What nonsense.

Peter Wood Poulton Avenue Bolton