All about inflation and deflation Dear Editor A thought for anyone voting for Independence Put aside the debates of oil, social welfare, Scottish identity, nuclear weapons or nuclear power, can we manage our own affairs, who owns what, the dislike of the Tories, Labour, Lib Dems, UKIP or other parties or the power that Westminster has.

The underlying problem that an independent Scotland will have and the success, failure or standing still of our nation/country will be determined by the effects of deflation or inflation of the Scottish economy that will be tied to the UK pound.

An independent Scotland without the ability of changing the Scottish exchange rate “the Scottish pound” would be disastrous for all in Scotland, rich and poor, the Scottish inflation rate would have to be exactly the same as the rest of the UK’s, any variations would affect the population north and south of the border would buy goods and services, exports/imports to and from Scotland/UK and the resulting additional costs at the tills would affect jobs and everybody’s standard of living.

Deflation is a lowering of prices which can only come about by lower wages as the basic cost of the product if imported would not be bought cheaper, if it was home produced then the product at source could be sold cheaper but again how can the product be made cheaper without cutting wages, the opposite would be true if there was inflation of the Scottish economy, the cost of goods and services rise including wages to accommodate the price of the goods.

Either way any imbalance or change from what we have at the moment, more so if there is inflation would be catastrophic for Scotland and its exports to the UK which is estimated at about 50% of Scottish goods.

This internal deflation/inflation would determine if Scotland could be successful or not, as it also affects our trade with the rest of the EU and the world.

I would dread to think of the consequences if there were internal inflation and our pensions are paid out of the UK pot that millions of Scots have paid into already, would the UK pay Scottish pensioners who are due this money a larger payment year on year to keep up with the Scottish inflation rate, or in the case of deflation a lower pension to Scotland’s pensioners.

And if people think that prices of goods bought from the UK will not go up in Scotland, I think they should wake up and smell the coffee.

Yours sincerely Name and address supplied It's too big a gamble Dear Editor, On 18 September your readers will have the opportunity to decide on the future of Scotland and the U.K. The SNP and Yes have promised that Scotland would always get the government the people of Scotland vote for. At the last elections to the Scottish Parliament 55% of those who voted, did not vote SNP, so much for getting the government we vote for.

Alex Salmond is adamant that a currency union will happen, because he wants it. Why does he want to allow what will be a foreign country to have control over the finances of an independent Scotland? That situation will be little more independent than a devolved government. There is also the question of the £6bn financial black hole that independent experts have said can only be plugged by increased taxation and even further reductions in public spending.

This is not an opportunity to just give separation a try. The analogy in marriage terms is simple; it is a divorce not a trial separation. I would urge you to vote NO, the alternative is a gamble not worth considering.

Yours Sincerely, Councillor Graham Watt A view from down south Dear Editor The arguments against the logic of Scotland breaking up from the union of Great Britain are to say the least formidable - whether it be the pound, the guarantee of debt, pensions, oil or issues such as the break up of the 200+ joint institutions that have been set up over the past 300+ years Scotland and England have been together.

Beyond all the economic issues I speak from the heart when I say it will be tragic to throw away Britain’s great heritage, for example our armed forces of the British Army where together we fought two World Wars and which is wel respected throughout the world, and the fact that we have given so much internationally in terms of scientific, administrative, and literary achievements. As a Northumbrian I speak for many in my county when I say that we have particularly strong kinship with Scotland with many families with Scottish ancestry in their family tree, and I can honestly say that our affinity runs much closer to Edinburgh and Glasgow than cities such as London and the cities of the Midlands.

Come on Scotland - the Union forever!

Yours sincerely Ken Beattie Morpeth Northumberland