No way to behave

As one of the many thousands of Scots who has yet to decide how to vote in the 2014 independence referendum, I am sure I am not alone in detecting that the contrast in tone between the Yes and No campaigns is already quite stark.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Dec 2012, 00:00 BST

Without passing judgment on the chosen tactics of either side, I do wonder why charities are fearful of raising questions about independence because of what they perceive to be the “toxic” nature of the debate. (your report, 17 December). I  recently read an essay by Dennis Canavan, chair of the Yes Scotland campaign, in which he said it was incumbent on the pro- Union parties as well as their  opponents to set out their vision for an independent Scotland.

This seemed an eminently sensible plea. But the response of Alistair Darling, the chairman of Better Together, spoke loudly about the mindset and tone of the No campaign.