Test for Salmond (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Test for Salmond

8:41am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Readers' letters By Telegraph & Argus

SIR – I suspect that few people in Bradford, and the rest of England for that matter, are greatly concerned by the prospect of a referendum on Scottish independence. And deep down, it probably doesn’t bother the Scots much either.

The only person who will “lie abed at night” wondering what he has done is Alex Salmond. His rise to leadership of the Scottish National Party and becoming First Minister were the result of promising but never having to deliver a referendum. Now David Cameron has called his bluff and he has to face what for him are two “no-win” alternatives.

A decisive ‘no’ vote will mean the immediate end of Mr Salmond’s political career. ‘Yes’ on the other hand will require him to prove in very short order that the lives of the ordinary people have been much improved by independence, something which in these hard times will be well-nigh impossible.

Brian Holmans, Langley Road, Bingley