IN arguing for more realism in the next independence referendum, Keith Howell (Letters, August 10) ignores the fact that the No campaign's assertions went largely unchallenged by broadcasters – particularly those based in London – or that the Unionists’ main campaign promises have turned out to be dishonest.

After being told by Ruth Davidson that the way to protect Scotland’s place in Europe was to vote No, we now find ourselves being dragged out of the EU against our will.

Better Together claims about border controls have been undermined by the recent UK Government statement that “the British and Irish Governments were opposed to a return of border check points between north and south”.

Whether it was Westminster's promises of massive investment in carbon capture technology, frigate orders or Michael Fallon telling shipworkers on the Clyde that a No vote would protect their jobs, or promises of “extensive” new powers – when they legislated for 70 per cent of Scottish taxes and 85 per cent of current UK welfare spending in Scotland remaining in the hands of Westminster government decision making – proves that the UK Government has misled the people of Scotland. It’s no wonder that Yes support for independence is continuing to grow while the No support has fallen.

Fraser Grant,

Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh.

KEITH Howell quotes the assurance given by the First Minister's spokesman that "there is nothing secret about the SNP's intentions". I can assure Mr Howell that there has been nothing secret about the SNP's intentions since the formation of the party in 1934. Ever since then, SNP candidates, election literature and party political broadcasts have all promoted independence for Scotland. No false Home Rule vows, no “pretendy indy”, and best of all, no lack of confidence in, and ambition for, Scotland.

It is not, as Mr Howell appears to believe "Independence at any cost". Rather, it is the cost of not having independence which motivates not only more than 120,000 SNP members, but members of other parties, plus individuals who are not members of any political party, but who believe that it is normal for a nation to decide its own future, and that Scotland's democratic destiny can be best served by becoming an independent nation, just like all the other independent nations in Europe and the rest of the world.

Ruth Marr,

99 Grampian Road, Stirling.

ALEX Orr (Letters, August 10) displays his economic literacy by quoting extensively the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and Purchasing Power Parities (PPP) of selected small countries as proof that an “independent” Scotland could flourish financially. Skipping over the fact that the good ship “independence” sailed off with an empty hold in September 2014 and is unlikely to dock again for at least a generation, it is puzzling that economically astute Mr Orr ignores the most important financial statistic of all.

As the SNP’s own GERS figures show and as some senior SNP politicians have at last admitted, there would have been a £15 billion black in Scotland’s current account this year if the UK had ceased to exist in March. All the statistical cherry-picking in the world cannot disguise the truth that an “independent” Scotland would have been an economic basket case from day one and for decades to come.

Mr Orr may have missed all the recent mea culpas from SNP politicians, apologising for “misleading” us on EU membership, potential currencies, oil revenues, economic growth and myriad budgetary truths in the lead up to the referendum in 2014. All of these confessions were accompanied by promises to tell the truth the “next time”. But in reality, isn’t it time Mr Orr and his Nationalist colleagues gave up their obsession with “independence", with its fantasy politics and fantasy economics, and started to focus on governing that part of the UK they purport to serve? And goodness knows, there are enough problems to address closer to home without wasting your time raiding obscure economic publications for even more obscure statistics in an attempt to beef up a transparently losing case.

Alex Gallagher,

Labour councillor, North Ayshire Council,

12 Phillips Avenue, Largs.