Yours for Scotland
Sir: Mr Ludovic Kennedy states the prime aim of the Scottish Nationalist party very clearly in his article 'Yours for Scotland' (10 November). However, his apparent relish at the prospect of the dismemberment of the United Kingdom is very disturbing. Can Scotland and Wales really gain anything from such a complete break? Apart from the satisfaction of national pride, I think the answer is no.
For me, the Liberal party offers by far the best solution to the problem. A Parliament for Scotland and Wales, together with representatives at Westminster, appears the logical solution. As for Mr Kennedy's doubts on this policy, does he completely ignore the case of Northern Ireland, which has operated successfully under this system for close on fifty years? If there has to be strong nationalism, then there will have to be local Par- liaments to satisfy the need.
Federalism may well become a practical propo- sition in the United Kingdom in the near future, but the idea of Scotland and Wales becoming inde- pendent states with dominion status after 260 years (in the case of Wales over 600 years) of union, seems quite impracticable. Do the Scots and Welsh still not realise that their heritage is part of ours —the heritage of the British nation? No, the SNP does not have the answer, though I admire its passionate zeal. And finally, as for Mr Kennedy's assertion that after the dismemberment of the United Kingdom we shall all, particularly the swinging English, be a great deal happier and better off,' I, as a 'swinging Englishman,' most certainly shall not be.
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