The consultative referendum wanted by Cherry would be a waste of time

What are the pitfalls of Joanna Cherry MP’S idea that the Scottish government should pass a bill paving the way for a consultative referendum on independence (your report, 10 February)? They are not difficult to identify for anyone who has paid attention to the details of the “gold standard” poll that was held in September 2014.

The first is whether the international community would accept as valid a vote which had the consent of the parliament in Edinburgh but not that of London. It is all very well to say that Prime Minister Boris Johnson might be on difficult ground if he authorised his legal officers to challenge it in the courts. He simply has to do nothing; the United Nations and other bodies are well aware that the British constitution is a matter reserved to Westminster.

The validity of the poll would be in doubt in any case if those of a unionist persuasion decided to boycott it on those grounds.

A move towards independence would need the cooperation of Westminster on a whole range of matters notably citizenship, defence and the national debt. That is hardly likely to be forthcoming even if First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her colleagues were to be enticed by Ms Cherry’s prospectus. The strength of going for the Section 30 agreement approach rests on that controversial word “respect”. In 2014 both sides – the governments in Holyrood and Westminster – promised to accept the result and move forward.

That could only mean detailed negotiation on the issues mentioned above and a host of others. That detailed negotiation will never take place if Ms Cherry’s approach is accepted.

The SNP’S long haul towards gaining a majority at next year’s election needs to start soon. It should not be encumbered by the blind alley of a consultative referendum.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes

Actor Brian Cox is not alone in calling for the SNP to ditch “national” from its title because he “does not like nationalism” (The Scotsman, 8 February). Nicola Sturgeon in August 2017 also said she would not choose “national” if the clock could be turned back due to the connotations and stated that it had a “negative meaning” for her – clearly an embarrassment.

I have news for mr cox and Ms Sturgeon – the majority of Scots detest nationalism also and can prove that nationalist ideals are not working for Scotland and are doing our country massive damage. On a daily basis we read of appalling mismanagement by the SNP regime: education, NHS, police, drug deaths, hungry children, billions misspent on vanity projects and on and on and on.

Mr Cox is an “advocate for Scottish independence” and is a “lifelong Labour supporter”. It is obvious, therefore, that being a socialist he would support separation because clearly he has no knowledge of the economic and financial basket-case an independent Scotland would become if independent. He wants an independent Scotland to be an “independent country in Europe” – which is highly unlikely – so a country of only approximately two million taxpayers, a hard border between Scotland and England – our largest customer – and no Barnett Formula support.

Mr Cox should read Andrew Wilson’s report and pay attention to the Scottish Government’s GERS figures for a dose of reality. Of course, pontificating from his home abroad is easy, he is not affected by this woefully inadequate regime and its effect on our people.

DOUGLAS COWE Newmachar, Aberdeenshire