Protest voters

I agree with Joyce Mcmillan (Scotsman, 22 December) on referenda (in themselves, superficially attractive). As Ken Clarke MP pointed out over 30 years ago, at least some will use it to vote on something else, ie, register a protest about an issue. This certainly seems to be the case in the EU one, with many registering disgust at our financial elites (who told us we had to stay in the EU). She is correct, too, in saying there should be safeguards, eg, on turnout, and on the majority required for victory. Brexit should not have gone ahead on 52 per cent (and I voted for Brexit); and it was perfectly correct and proper for there to be a limit on the late Seventies Devolution referendum. As usual, our political leaders seem oblivious to all of this! WILLIAM BALLANTINE

Dean Road Bo’ness, West Lothian