Time Scotland made its mind up

IF TOM Brown thinks that "the English Broadcasting Corporation" does not sufficiently identify Scottish and Welsh sportsmen and women he clearly did not listen to much of the Olympic coverage ('True test of national identity is what you feel', Comment, August 31).

The British Broadcasting Corporation was quite punctilious about describing successful Scottish and Welsh participants as such. It has learned well the need to doff their caps to Scottish and Welsh sensitivity. English medal winners were, on the other hand, invariably referred to as "British". The inconsistency was quite glaring and obviously deliberate.

Mr Brown suggests that the English should do more to foster togetherness. For what reason? Even those Scots who, like Mr Brown, claim to be in favour of the Union, spend most of their time proclaiming how different and Scottish they are. The debate in Scotland centres on how much more power the Scottish Parliament should have and on how much richer or poorer Scotland would be within or without the Union. Such a mind set is no basis for a common identity, or a viable partnership. The Scots should make up their minds whether they want the Union or not, without demanding further concessions from the English. If Scotland wants to go, it should go, and go quickly.

James Matthews, London