Stop sniping and look at big picture on independence

Sir, – So the first minister has made a significant, measured announcement which chimes with the majority view of the citizens of our nation and indeed reflects the mandate upon which she and her government were re-elected (again).

It would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

Predictably the minority opposition parties are unhappy and continue with their “now is not the time” mantra along with the suggestion that the government is taking its eye of the ball in relation to domestic matters.

We can do nothing about the minority of “SNP bad” or Nicola Sturgeon haters who seem to be full of bile and venom. Many of them are indeed unable to raise their heads above the parapet. They are a lost cause.

Calling a government to account and continually sniping from the sidelines are poles apart.

There will also be a huge number of people in this country who are perhaps not vociferous members of the Nicola Sturgeon fan club or who, for whatever reason, do not support the SNP but they perhaps have not considered the significance of Scotland being an independent nation and a full member of the EU.

Many of these people will be scunnered with the industrial levels of corruption, lawbreaking and rule-breaking witnessed on a frequent basis down south, together with our exit from the EU against our will, increasing child poverty, ever increasing use of foodbanks and the continued presence of Trident on our soil.

This whole unprecedented event is not about a single party or person.

It is much, much more than that. It is about our right to self-determination and making things so much better for our children and our grandchildren.

Ironically, when our nation gains its independence from RUK, there is an argument that the SNP will have fulfilled its purpose; it’s very being; it’s raison d’etre.

What kind of parties do we wish to govern our new independent nation? Social democrats? Democrats? Socialists? Republicans?

Or, perish the thought, Conservatives.

This is our once-in-lifetime chance and we should seize it. We must not allow ourselves to be conned again.

All hues and colours of the independence movement must temporarily hide their differences and concentrate on the glue which binds them together. Stewart Falconer. Glenisla View, Alyth.