NOW that the Scots, all 1.7 million of them, have decided that they want to run their own affairs, can I ask what hand the English have in all of this?

For years, the English taxpayer has contributed generously to the wellbeing of our neighbours but, with the Scots deciding to sever many of their links with Westminster, can we in England look forward to more spending on our NHS, on our education, on our roads and so on?

Public spending in Scotland is around £500 a head more than it is in England, and England pays for it.

Imagine either the reduction in tax we can look forward to here, or the much better services which could be provided.

Wishful thinking? I fear so, since the Labour government's ridiculous proposals mean that our country will be significantly weakened in all ways and we'll continue to subsidise Scotland. Perhaps the worst part of all in this sorry saga is that Scots MPs in Westminster will still have a say in our affairs in England, but we or they cannot raise any questions over behaviour in their country, even if their actions are detrimental to the wellbeing of the English.

It seems Tony Blair cannot solve problems, so he creates them instead.

S HUGHES, Cranshaw Drive, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.