Irvine Welsh is lost in his own fiction

Irvine Welsh, a prominent author, expressed his views at an event commemorating the tenth anniversary of Scotland's independence referendum, stating that Scotland's decision to reject separatism was a mistake. He argued that regions outside of London resemble 'third world countries' due to economic disparities, a claim that many found elitist and inaccurate. Critics pointed out that wealth inequality exists throughout the UK, including in London, and that Welsh's perspective may be skewed by his residence in the US. The discussion also touched on the economic risks associated with Scotland's reliance on declining fossil fuels and the potential consequences of independence, such as higher taxes and reduced public services. The No vote in 2014 is defended by some as a rational choice against nationalist ideologies, emphasizing the importance of common sense in political decisions. The letter from Martin Redfern highlights the complexities of the economic landscape in the UK and the ongoing debate about the merits of independence versus remaining part of the union.