SNP working for break-up... not us
and not really too much of a change – ‘We’ll still have the Queen, we’ll keep sterling.’
In reality, the Nationalists are separatists who want Scotland to become a Leftwing republic. If they succeed we will descend into the same miserable existence of Leftwing republics everywhere.
R.L. Mccallum, Glasgow.
Justifying a vote
AS one who voted No last time and will be doing so again, I find it disappointing that from Theresa May down it seems impossible for many to concede the obvious truth that the first vote to stay in the UK was delivered against a background of remaining in the EU.
The subsequent Brexit vote was diametrically at odds with the voting pattern of the vast majority of those who were interested enough to cast a vote in Scotland.
Taking that into account it is difficult to refute the notion that there has been a material change in circumstances.
I believe, albeit with reluctance, that there is incontrovertibly a justification for calling for a fresh vote, even though I personally consider that a Yes vote would be even more disastrous this time.
The SNP does have a case for another referendum. In my opinion what it doesn’t have is a case for voting Yes.
M. Bates, edinburgh.
Uncertain future
THE SNP claims its mandate to seek another independence vote is that there has been ‘a material change in circumstances’. That’s just not true – who knows what Brexit will look like?
J. Thomson, edinburgh.
Deal impossible
THE SNP is angry no deal has been done with it over Brexit. But how could the Prime Minister do a deal with a party that wants the impossible?
It wants to cherry-pick bits from Europe – free trade and the like – while the UK-side Brexit vote rules that out.
Alice Murray, ayr.
Neutral position
MANY people have given their strong support to the statement issued by the Church and Society Council on behalf of the Church of Scotland following the First Minister’s announcement that she will seek a second independence referendum.
It reiterates our longstanding position of neutrality The Church of Scotland remains neutral on the question of independence, but should the Scottish parliament vote in favour of a second referendum and be overruled by the UK Parliament we acknowledge this would be problematic.
For some time the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has recognised the Claim of Right which acknowledges the sovereign status of the Scottish people ‘to determine the form of Government best suited to their needs’. The Church therefore recognises the right of the Scottish parliament to request the holding of such a vote and will always honour the democratic will of the Scottish people.
Our priority, should a second referendum occur, would be to do all it can to ensure that the questions raised are explored with humility and grace. Rev DR Richard Frazer, Convener of the Church and society Council, Church of scotland.
In the fast lane
MANY commentators state an independent Scotland would have to join a ‘queue’ for EU membership.
Yet there is no queue. Legislation in Scotland is already in alignment with EU rules, the Acquis Communautaire.
This is a very different situation when compared with candidate countries such as Montenegro and Serbia.
Turkey applied to join the then EEC in 1987. Austria applied to join in 1989, Finland in 1992 and Sweden in 1991. Those nations joined what became the EU in 1995. Turkey is still waiting in the wings. We are clearly in the ‘fast track’ lane to EU entry, not standing in some non-existent queue.
Alex Orr, edinburgh.
Deficit dangers
TO those who said we’d sail into the EU after an independence vote, two words: the deficit. Germany will not consider for membership a country with a deficit of £15billion, as we would need a bail-out.
So how do we cut the deficit to acceptable levels? Again, two words: taxes and cuts.
In the new spirit of honesty, I am sure the SNP will be happy to tells us which taxes they will raise and by how much and which cuts they will make to public sector jobs and services.
ROBERT Mayes, aberdeen.
Chance to be heard
THE people of Scotland who do not want another referendum and are being ignored by the Scottish Government can send a clear message to Nicola Sturgeon in the May elections – just don’t vote SNP.
ROBERT D. Knox, Glasgow.