With the Scots voting overwhelmingly for the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP), does this not offer us in England an opportunity that will keep the union, benefit England and help the Conservative Party?

Give them all the tax powers they want, but keep defence and foreign affairs at Westminster. I am convinced the Scots will not vote for independence because they want these things, but if they vote against raising their own taxes to spend on their own public services, we will lose a golden opportunity.

These arrangements will lift the burden of Scottish subsidies from English taxpayers and make the Scots see the sense of Conservative policies; retain Great Britain’s place in the world; and reduce vastly the number of Labour MPs in Westminster, making Conservative governments more likely.

My fear is that the Conservative government will dilly-dally about and we will see the Scots vote against independence and still be left with this unfair situation.

Is it not time for the Conservative party to take the initiative on this situation for the sake of England, Great Britain and themselves?

Marcus Wyndham, Oxted, Surrey.