Scottish rights
From Mrs Winifred Ewing, MP (SNP, Moray and Firth) Sir: I must congratulate Ian Ross on his remarkably perceptive article on the SNP (October 25). As an MP, of some eight years standing, or rather sitting, I am used to living in London, reading the London press, listening to London men and women, and to my London colleagues in Parliament. I am very well aware that their sparse knowledge of Scottish politics just about equals their interest. Nevertheless it does not need an Albert Einstein to appreciate that an independent Scotland and an independent Wales signify an independent England. For all our sakes I regard articles like Ian Ross's as absolutely essential for our future peace.
May I try to explain the problem as simply as I can? A Scotsman is not English. England stops at the Border. This is not really appreciated by our English friends and indeed in the House of Commons it is quite common to hear the word 'England' used — later to be deftly corrected by the Hansard writers to 'Britain'. Many Scottish Nationalists like myself have been nationalists in
Spectator November 1, 1975 their hearts and in their heads. Other prominent Scots like Sir Alec DouglasHome have been nationalists in their hearts but not in their heads. Now all has been transformed by the discoverY of Scottish oil. An ever-increasing number of Scots are beginning to see a golden future for themselves and their children in a self-governing Scotland loyal to the Crown, running our own affairs and taking our rightful place in the world, giving what help we can to our neighbours in England and Wales. Is it likely the ordinary people of England are likely to want to thwart the wishes of the Scots and the Welsh to stand on their own feet? Surely the rights of small nations must be respected.
Winifred Ewing House of Commons, London SW1
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