I think he is the one, in his own words, “mixing politics with patriotism”, where some of the points he raises are based purely on conjecture on his part. Does he actually believe that running this type of interference, based on his own skewed vision of how wonderful the Union is for Scotland, is going to sway the electorates views on independence? The unionists shot themselves in the foot when they replaced Michael Moore with this individual. Mr Moore conducted himself in a courteous and balanced manner during his term as Scottish Secretary; Carmichael is nothing more than a hatchet man. I look forward to watching him shoot himself in the other foot very soon. C Murphy West Calder West Lothian Having suffered similar abuse and SNP accusations of being “anti-Scottish” personally, I fully agree with Alistair Carmichael’s remarks. Those in the Nationalist movement, such as the Fife councillor who sneeringly questioned Mr Carmichael’s “Scottishness”, lower the referendum debate to the level of the gutter. One is reminded again of George Orwell’s words in his Notes on Nationalism essay. This should be required reading for every Nationalist. His point, paraphrased, was that patriotism was the love of one’s own country while nationalism was the hatred of others. Recent events would prove Orwell only too correct. Alexander McKay New Cut Rigg Edinburgh