Conference call

While I expect the SNP to promise the world at their conference next week, I do not expect them to give out any clues as to how they would rebuild Scotland, use the fiscal levers they want, or even counter the reality of their own Growth Commission report. Perhaps they would drum up even more support if they would enlighten us, particularly after Alex Neil’s bold statement on Thursday that the SNP could not only run Scotland better, but actually also run England better than the Tories are doing. This is staggering arrogance. Last week we saw a very diplomatic Theresa May suggest to our First Minister that she might “concentrate on the day to day things”. Can you imagine the level of the usual faux outrage if she had suggested she could run Scotland better than the SNP? Next week’s conference will be more Braveheart than government.

KEN CURRIE

Liberton Drive, Edinburgh

On the eve of the SNP conference, Alex Salmond uses his show on Kremlin mouthpiece, Russia Today to insist the cautious Nicola Sturgeon demands that a second independence referendum is

staged within months. While Mr Salmond and Ms Sturgeon certainly have their differences at the moment, it seems they have poor memory in common.

Theresa May has repeatedly made clear in public and to Ms Sturgeon directly that ‘now is not the time’ for another vote on breaking up the UK - and that it won’t be the time until after the next Holyrood election at the soonest, if at all.

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond, here’s a reality check for you: next week, next month, next year, 2020, 2021 - indyref2 isn’t going to happen. Get over yourselves.martin

REDFERN

Woodcroft Road, Edinburgh