I WOULD like to take issue with Derek Marshall (Letters, May 25) concerning the independence of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I hope that it never happens.

He claims that England would be better off if the union were to come to an end. Financially better off now perhaps, but would that have been the case three decades ago? When the UK still had an industrial base, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland still had its uses.

It appears that right-wingers in England would like the union dissolved because of the number of Labour MPs that Wales and Scotland send to Westminster. Without this a Conservative government would stand a good chance of being permanent - a horrifying thought.

If Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland owe a lot to England, then England owes just as much to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I believe that they should remain one.

C E WATTS, Millbrook, Southampton.

DEREK Marshall considers my comments on our Royal Family were ridiculous. He is, of course, correct, they were exaggerated and as with all sarcasm it was intended to highlight a specific point.

The union is under threat from all quarters. Mr Marshall is again correct with this assumption. Should we all take the time to look under the veneer of our once green pastured England, you will find greed, debauchery, immorality, class distinction and poverty, to name just a few serious aspects of our country as it slides into insignificance.

It is now obvious our own people realise the total insincerity that exists between the elected leaders and England's people, our immediate problem being with the abject failure of New Labour and the remainder needing considerable help and attention.

HUGH CLEVERLY, Fair Oak.