No fooling us

As the dust settles on the Alex Salmond trial with a result that has clearly disappointed those who thought the case would bring about the demise of the SNP, it is interesting to note that those who oppose self-determination for Scotland appear to be desperately clutching at the final straw symbolising the survival of their long dysfunctional Union.

Of course, the ”old guard’ of the SNP leadership are as vocal as ever, and in this personal watershed moment for their ex-leader it is no surprise that Alex Neil and Kenny Macaskill appear to be vying to succeed Jim Sillars as the go-to independence person for media reporters who seem keen to represent the current situation within the SNP as the “major split” about which besotted unionists dream.

While some misguidedly claim that essentially because Westminster has significantly more borrowing powers (two trillion pounds debt and rising) than Holyrood, this is evidence of a substantial benefit of Scotland remaining in the UK, more perspicacious observers realise we are fortunate in Scotland to have a government led by one of the most able politicians of our time; one with the resolute integrity to ensure that due process was followed in circumstances that undoubtedly, if they had arisen with any other major political party in government in the UK, would not have brought about such a rigorous conclusion (as repeatedly evidenced in the past). In stark contrast the arrogant Etonian who leads the UK will no doubt bumble on for a while yet and further distance himself from reality, as well as from the general public, but the electorate of Scotland will not be fooled. STAN GRODYNSKI

Cairnsmore Longniddry, East Lothian