What impact on independence?

Sir, – What are the implications of coronavirus so far as independence is concerned?

At this point, I have to declare a personal interest: I’m in my 79th year, with significant underlying health issues; and, although my wife is younger, she suffers from COPD.

So, we’re both “high risk”.

The Scottish Government has bought into the Boris approach, saying it’s essential to have all parts of the UK working together.

In practice, this has meant going along with a deeply flawed strategy. With Westminster politicians waffling about ‘the Dunkirk Spirit’ it’s understandable some folk will buy their ‘we’re all in this together’ line.

But we are not all, equally, in this together.

The virus might not care who it hits, but responses, and resources, are not universal.

If you are wealthy and well-connected, your chances are a lot better than average.

There will come a time, maybe in a few months, maybe in 2021, when things will be a bit clearer.

I don’t know whether I’ll be around to see that or not.

However, when that time comes, while some things will have changed, some other things will have been reinforced.

It will still be true that a lot of things done by the Tories over the last 10 years or so were not in Scotland’s name.

They haven’t won an election in Scotland for over 60 years.

And it will still be a case of referendum now.

Obviously, “now” can’t mean “right now”.

By the time these words are typed, and by the time you read them, right now will already be in the past.

But whether I’m alive, or whether I’ve become a victim of the virus, it will still be the case that there will be an urgent need for a new, non-partypolitical, referendum on independence, as early as physically possible, without hesitation or delay. Dave Coull. 2 Findowrie Cottages, Brechin.