Political truths

David Kelly (Letters, 16 August) takes to task those who hold with the Westminster line that a currency union between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the UK would be an impossibility. Regarding this issue, he states that “many of your otherwise permanently cynical commentators, correspondents and readers, normally so suspicious of the veracity of politicians’ policy pronouncements have suddenly and inexplicably chosen this moment to suspend their disbelief”. He then proceeds, not without justification, to highlight the fact that Westminster governments have a long record of being economical with the truth and spouting platitudes.

This argument is not without merit, but does not go far enough. Surely it is an argument that could equally apply to Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney et al. After all, are they not politicians, too? Is Mr Kelly suggesting that only Westminster politicians are untrustworthy and that those who officially represent the SNP are the exception to the rule?

Personally, I am very wary of all politicians. I do not think that Westminster has a monopoly on the use of weasel words and obfuscation.

George Wilson

Easter Drylaw Avenue
Edinburgh