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.