WITH the Scottish referendum looming fast, I wonder how many of our current English Members of Parliament who stem from or reside in Scotland are worried about their own future?

If we turn back the clock to 1603 when James VI of Scotland came to the English throne as James 1, his enthusiasm for a union between the two countries was not shared by the then parliamentarians.

It was not until 1705 that a vote on the union took place, 106 in favour and 69 against. Two hundred and twenty seven votes could have been cast which indicates there were a further 52 who were probably against the forming of the union. Had these 52 voted then in all likelihood there would have been no union.

As part of the English crown’s actions, money was made available to senior figures in the Scottish parliament. Buying votes? Thankfully our current MPs do not have this facility available to them.

Burns noted the following: “We’re bought and sold for English Gold, such a Parcel of Rogues in a nation”.

The 1707 ratification of the union was to say the very least an uneasy affair.

Is this being re-enacted again by the 21st century mud-slinging emanating from Westminster?

David Rhodes The Shrubberies, Cliffe, Selby.