Sir, – Transparency is usually lacking where MPs from all parties are concerned. However, one can see straight through the reasons Messrs Brown and Darling are giving for backing the ‘No’ campaign for Scottish independence.

Both Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown are fully aware that not only will they lose huge salaries and expenses, first class celebrity travel from Scotland to Westminster but the opportunity to become candidates for the House of Lords and the Honours List will also disappear.

If the Salmon and Sturgeon partnership do manage to pull it off there will be no place for existing Scottish MPs at Westminster. Labour members of the No campaign have criticised David Cameron for getting involved in the debate for independence, stating that his involvement has damaged the No campaign no end.

It will not have occurred to those Labour critics of David Cameron that maybe Alex Salmon and Mrs Sturgeon are not the only two politicians that want an independent Scotland.

David Cameron is a very shrewd and ambitious politician. He does not want to remain in a coalition any longer than necessary – maybe that is why he has come out in support of the better together campaign?

PETER JONES Darlington.