Whether it’s Yes, No, Leave or Remain, indyref2 wording is open to question

It is no surprise that Fraser Grant (Letters, 16 February) considers “Yes or No, or For or Against Scottish self-government” as clearer referendum choices than the more neutral “remain or leave”. From the SNP perspective, being gifted the positive response in the last independence referendum was fundamental to their approach. From the start they set out to portray those who did not agree with them as being “negative”, which of course, in one sense, they were as they had to argue for the “No” response.

Inserting the word “independent” into the question last time also served the SNP’S cause because it is a bit like asking people if they like apple pie. If all else is equal, what, after all, is not to like about independence?

But all else is not equal, and last time we chose between a nationalist vision based on imagined differences, and the benefits a clear majority saw in generations of positive interdependence within the UK.

This time the SNP want to base the arguments for a second referendum campaign on a choice between the UK and the EU. Even if the SNP get their way on holding a referendum and are gifted their choice of question, things will still be much less “clear” than Fraser Grant might imagine. “Independence” is a word that can mean different things to different people and based on voting patterns in the EU referendum, many of the SNP’S own supporters will wonder if Brussels offers Scotland less genuine scope for influence than the voice of Scotland’s MPS at Westminster. KEITH HOWELL

White Moss West Linton, Peeblesshire The arrogance of Fraser Grant in his letter is astounding and grossly insulting. He says that asking voters in any future referendum whether they elect to “Leave” or “Remain” in the United Kingdom would mislead them.

How stupid does he think the Scottish people are?

What he is really saying is that the SNP would again claim the right to the more positive “Yes” question. Next time, the Electoral Commission and the UK Government will be a bit more savvy than in 2014, when the SNP were given every advantage in timing, the question and the eligible voters.

If Mr Grant wants to look at “misleading” as a concept, he should have a thumb through the disgraceful propaganda rag that was the S np produced( but publicly funded)white paper that preceded the 2014 referendum. DAVID K ALLAN

The Square Mainshill, Haddington