Scotland free?
Sir: It is difficult to believe that independence will create the proud, virile Scotland of Ludovic Kennedy's romantic dreams. Given the present balance between the parties—and given, too, the attitudes prevailing in the Scottish National Party, an independent Scotland is certain to be a socialist Scotland. (Indeed, let it not be forgotten that the Scottish TUC.gave Comrade Shelepin a standing ovation.) And, to judge by all the precedents, that is likely to have results quite the opposite of those which Mr Kennedy seeks. The state takeover of the economy will lead to the stifling of intellectual and cultural life, and to a catastrophic fall in the standard of living (which even oil can hardly compensate for). Emigration of the talented and the adventurous will intensify. Internal opposition will mount, almost certainly leading to bloodshed—not over retaining the link with England, but in response to the loss of familiar liberties. How long will it be before the country—even if it adopts a neutralist position—is forced to turn, like Cuba, to the Soviet Union for economic and military aid? (And how long, indeed, before— like Cuba—it starts trying to 'export revolution' over Hadrian's Wall?) And course once the country is sucked into the ,viet bloc, it will be subjected to a cultural and political control which will make the English connection seem more like total independence. Surely it should be enough for Mr Kennedy to know that the Soviet Union is giving rigorous support to all such 'independence' movements to make him steer well ckar of them.
J. E. Fawkner-Corbett 7 Montacute Close, Farnborough, Hants.
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