Power of SNP PR machine

Sir, - So Alex Salmond, tells us what we already know: there will not be a second separation referendum before the next Holyrood election in 2021.

The United Kingdom government has made clear there will not be another referendum until after 2021, however, much foot stamping takes place at Bute House. And importantly the majority of Scots endorse Westminster’s view.

The SNP insists because the UK is leaving the EU then Scotland must leave the UK.

However, the ongoing decline in SNP popularity at the polls suggests that most of us do not buy into this tortuous non-sequitur.

So is Mr Salmond’s latest prediction correct? That depends on whether the nationalists can secure a majority in Holyrood in 2021.

Right now, it looks far from certain but then again, never underestimate the power of the SNP’s PR machine.