If SNP is not all about independence, will someone please let the zealots know?

Promptedbynicolasturgeon’s remarks at the Edinburgh Book Festival about “problematic” connotations of the word “national” in her party’s name (Perspective, 21 August), Lesley Riddoch argues that “the name SNP is a signifier, not a descriptor”. Yet for that to be true depends very much on how those who follow and lead the party choose to conduct themselves. Of course the SNP leadership would claim they cannot be responsible for the more extreme examples of Scottish nationalist abuse and intimidation that appear on social media, with antienglish and anti-incomer vitriol still all too common.

Whattheycannotduck,however, is responsibility for their own rhetoric. Nicola Sturgeon regularly uses the “you are talking Scotland down” accusation towards her political opponents, and Alex Salmond frequently attacks the press for what he calls their “ignorance and prejudice”, and argues most Scottish political journalists should be more ‘patriotic’.

The SNP leadership as a whole invariably present the SNP and Scotland as if they are one and the same thing. These nationalist tendencies to equate their views with Scotland as a whole and none-toosubtle attempts to silence critics are reflected in nationalist movements worldwide. The name is perhaps more accurate than the First Minister likes to admit. KEITH HOWELL

White Moss West Linton, Peeblesshire

Joyce Mcmillan (Perspective, 18 August) is right. There are two distinctive brands of nationalism – there is the standard nasty and the even nastier.

It is not only the recent upsurge in Islamist terrorism. We have very recently seen ‘’white nationalists’’ emerging in the US.

Wherever it has appeared, nationalism has left misery behind. It should be confined with all the other “isms’’ of previous centuries to the dustbin of history.

In fact, nationalism of one kind or another – even the SNP’S legendary “civic” brand – surely the most meaningless adjective ever, also known as “me first’” – seems to be tearing our societies apart.

ALEXANDER MCKAY New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh

I’m surprised nobody has picked up on this so far: the obvious name Nicola Sturgeon should adopt for her party is the Scottish Independence Party. I have said to many a doorstepping Nat that I always used to vote SNP because I wanted a strong Scottish representation in Westminster; however, I never wanted independence and ceased to support them when indyref became the entire focus of the party. The reply was invariably that I must have known that the SNP has always existed primarily as a vehicle for Scottish independence.

So come on, Nicola, stand up for your principles and admit the truth, even if it proves toxic for your dwindling support – if it looks like an independence party and all your supporters supposedly want it… call it the Scottish Independence Party!

SANDY ADAM Turleum Road, Crieff