No prospect of ‘Yes’ vote if it becomes linked with anti-monarchy stance

Sir, – As the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations start to fade slowly into memory, it was perhaps inevitable that debate about the future of the monarchy in Scotland should arise.

But SNP constitutional affairs spokesman Tommy Sheppard should be more guarded in his words (The Courier, June 6).

There is no prospect of a Yes vote in an independence referendum if the case for becomes associated with an anti-monarchy stance.

The voters will also be suspicious if they feel that years of wrangling over the case for a republic will dominate the parliament of a newly-independent state.

Many matters – including defence, the currency, pensions, the cost of living, immigration and citizenship – will be regarded as far more important.

Mr Sheppard is correct in stating that many Commonwealth countries are reviewing their relationship with the royal family. But Barbados, for example – while opting for an elected head of state – has chosen to remain in the body, whose head of course is the non-elected British monarch.

Even if a Scottish legislature opted for a republic, it would almost certainly want to stay in the worldwide alliance in which so many people of Scottish descent have settled.

The more muted celebrations north of the border in recent weeks should not disguise a key point.

While people here are less enthusiastic about pomp and pageantry than some of our southern neighbours, a constitutional monarch will be supported more strongly than an unpredictable and possibly authoritarian republic.