SIR, To recap on a truly momentous week in Scotland and the longstanding issue of the Principled Politician - wherefore art thou?

One might have been forgiven for thinking Mr Alex Salmond was a man of principle when he resigned in defeat. However, there was the little matter of his previous announcement that he would resign after the referendum (win or lose), also the little matter of what might be considered to be treasonous act by suggesting that he could declare independence against our better judgement and publicly expressed view.

One may also have been surprised to see that the Master of Disaster, our very own The Right Honourable Mr Gordon Brown was resplendent on matters Constitutional and even with the presence of the press and cameras to bear witness to his enthusiasm for all things Constitutional and Scottish.

Changed days indeed from when he would not publicly attend the formal signing of the Lisbon Constitutional Treaty of the European Union.

Perhaps Mr Brown, seen sneaking in through the back door, to sign this Foreign Constitution which paved the way for a Federal States of Europe was not something he wanted captured for posterity; given that it removed our Sovereignty as a Nation State called the United Kingdom. The key question for Gordon Brown is that now his Lisbon Constitutional Treaty is a month (or so) away from being fully operational (and self-amending), what use would we have for a separate Scottish Constitution?

That The Right Honourable Mr (Red Ed) Miliband will not further the devolution process commenced by the Labour Party, highlights a key problem in the failure of the old Party Politics. Whom amongst us can conclude that the problem is not simply one of cronyism and vested interest over principle?

The truly momentous (and barely remarked upon) part of all this hullabaloo is the tremendous level of voter participation by us Scots (over 80%). I remain hopeful that this continues with a reawakening of both political engagement and traditional Scottish values guiding our voting choices.

Values such as I was raised upon including self-reliance, a solid work ethic, living within our means, community participation and charitable giving to name a few, while working towards banishing the Nanny State mentality with its approach to controlling every aspect of our lives from our midst.

I am, etc.

Steven McKeane Ellwyn Terrace Galashiels