Futility of latest Referendum bill

SIR, – The logic of preparing a draft Referendum bill for the Scottish Parliament seems something of an exercise in total futility and jumping the gun.

Essentially it was a cut and paste job from 2014 with a few minor tweaks based on minor improvements previously recommended but nothing substantial added. Sturgeon is rapidly becoming something of a “drama queen” and showbiz performer with an obsession rather than a serious politician with a long term plan.

What is absent at present is a coherent and considered economic analysis and plan for the future of Scotland. The SNP’s basic credibility was seriously undermined by the many weaknesses exposed in the White Paper “Scotland’s Future”. This has been exacerbated by subsequent events and disclosures.

Flag waving euphoria does not persuade or convince the “no’s” or the “undecided” that a step into the unknown is really a risk worth taking. There was public recognition of this with the announcement of a “new conversation” and the intention to start listening and to stop lecturing.

However this good intention has already lapsed. A plethora of dramatic new populist proposals on a great variety of matters are currently being put forward almost on a weekly basis. It is evident that there are insufficient SNP politicians of the necessary experience, competence, and skills to cover these many areas. A period of quite constructive reflection would actually be more beneficial for both Scotland and the UK.

Simultaneous Brexit and Independence would be extremely foolish. David Philip, Knockhall Way, Newburgh.

“spokesman Brendan O'Hara has concerns about the delay in the new generation of Royal Navy frigates being built on the Clyde and him stating that the delay in the start of the new builds could be in part blamed on Brexit, when are these guys going to get real and realise none of these projects will go ahead for an independent Scotland?

Frank McPherson, Elgin. but should our politicians not show some interest?

I also noted in the same edition an announcement of direct flights to Texas from Manchester which must be disappointing to our local businesses as Aberdeen to Texas would have been a popular route in view of our huge oil interests, not only locally but to our neighbours in Scandinavia. A missed opportunity.

Roy McHardy, Hillside Place, Peterculter, Aberdeen

As for the situation he specifically mentions where there is a police escort, then if an escorting police officer indicates that you need to drive onto the verge to avoid a large vehicle, again I suggest that while you must stop and decide your course of action there cannot be a legal requirement to actually make you go off road.

As these journeys are planned and not emergencies there must be a requirement that Police Scotland have carried out risk assessments and safe and suitable areas to allow the abnormal load to pass other motorists have been identified and marked.

If a motorist is willing to use such an area so be it, but any costs from any resulting damage must fall to the Police Authority to pay to the motorist. Alastair Armitstead, Morven, Achiltibuie, Ullapool