Letter: Return of the border raiders
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Return of the border raiders
Sir: As a North-easterner (though living, like many a Scot, in London), I fear the potential effects of Scottish devolution in the border region.
English complacency about devolution is to be found mainly in the South- east. In Northumberland, still peppered with fortified buildings from the era of border raiding, we can see the difficulties ahead - although they will surely be dealt with peacefully.
If there is a differential tax rate, with Scots paying more, who pays for the extra services needed by those who will leave Coldstream and move the quarter mile to Cornhill on Tweed across the border? Other contingencies may suck people across the border to Scotland.
The Scots look likely to get their parliament and that is right, but the Government must accelerate proposals for a regional assembly in the North-east. Such an assembly would be best placed to deal with a Scottish parliament and sort out the new relationship.
JON SUTCLIFFE
London SW16
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments