Sir, – A No vote in the Scottish referendum will undoubtedly be bad news for the region. More money per capita is currently spent on Scotland than England, when really because of the make-up of the latter the reverse should be the case. We are in effect subsidising a country which has a higher standard of living than ourselves. How can this be right or fair.

On top of this the Government is promising the Scots everything under the sun in a desperate attempt to keep them in the union. The money spent thus cannot be spent elsewhere hence less for the regions

On the other hand a successful Scotland will force the Government to allocate more money and resources to the area in order for it to compete. Competition is good for everyone.

An independent Scotland will have a pound currency, tied to sterling.

There is nothing our Government can do to stop this, and indeed it will be in their interest for it to be so, despite what they say now. To say `you can`t have our pound` is politics of the playground and an insult to people`s intelligence. Scotland already has its own notes, freely accepted south of the border and people won`t notice any difference in everyday life. Businesses aren't going to refuse to accept one or the other currencies, that is just silly.

As to the other disruptive aspect mentioned in your editorial, the rather vague `cross-border trade`, you have only to look to the continent for examples, notably the similar pair of countries Netherlands and Belgium who have co-existed borderless without issue for decades, long before the euro.

At present Scottish MPs have a full say and vote on purely English matters whereas English MPs have no say in Scottish affairs. This is a disgrace and the situation will only get worse as more powers are devolved. Scots can be forgiven for thinking they are on a good thing.

However even the historically docile English won`t stand for it forever and the Scots may well live to regret not taking their opportunity.

The politicians are against independence mainly out of self-interest. 59 Scottish MPs would lose their lucrative jobs. Another huge financial benefit for England should they depart.

So will it be Braveheart or Faintheart?

DENIS MCALLISTER

Leyburn.