Clear victory for Nicola Sturgeon

Sir, - In February, Theresa May and Ruth Davidson urged Scottish voters to vote Conservative in the council elections and send a message to Nicola Sturgeon, saying no to a second independence referendum.

The SNP, however, still won the council election, with more votes and more seats.

It finished as comfortably the largest party, boasting 431 councillors, despite the Conservatives making gains to finish on 276 and Labour on 262 councillors.

The SNP is indeed the largest party in Scotland’s four main cities, replacing Labour as the largest party in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and maintaining its position as the largest party in Dundee.

The SNP is also now the largest party in 16 council areas - up from 10 in 2012 - and jointlargest on a further three councils.

Despite the Tory strategy of making the council election a referendum on a referendum, while they have done extremely well, they did not win and are indeed well behind the SNP.

The general election is being fought by the Tories using this same strategy.

However, it is anticipated the SNP will still finish as the largest party in Scotland, both in terms of votes and will have more than half the MPs.

If this transpires to be the case, one hopes Ms May will do the honourable thing and meet with Ms Sturgeon as soon after June 8 as possible and make arrangements for the holding of the referendum. Alex Orr. 77 Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh.