Taking a stand for democracy

AS someone who was born and bred in England, I believe Westminster is wrong to oppose another vote on Scottish independence. Yes, the 2014 referendum was supposed to be a once-in-a-generation vote, but since then the situation has changed, mainly because of Brexit, which the Scots were overwhelmingly opposed to.

They should have the right to a Yes/No referendum on whether to remain part of the United Kingdom. Are the Tories frightened of being the government to preside over the break up of the UK?

PM Rishi Sunak was not elected by the country but was chosen by Conservative MPs. This is undemocratic and the Tories are now denying Scotland the right to have a say on their own future.

Melvyn Kaye, Portsmouth

With the Supreme Court backing the right of the UK Government to block another independence referendum in Scotland, the SNP has been left with no option but to fight the next general election exclusively on that issue.

If they put their intentions and detailed plans for independence to the people of Scotland and then win a majority of the votes, as well as the seats, in Scotland, they will have every right to declare independence unilaterally. If they were to do so – and because using force would be inconceivable – there is little Westminster could do to stop it.

Brett Grainger Rugeley, Staffs

There is a distinct possibility that Nicola Sturgeon is on a self-destruct route to her demise as she attempts to turn the disastrous Supreme Court unanimous ruling into a victory as a de facto referendum. Sturgeon is solely focused on the independence issue while everyone else in Scotland is worried about rising energy prices, the cost-of-living crisis and the state of NHS Scotland.

Scotland deserves better.

Dennis Grattan, Aberdeen

The Scots didn’t vote for Brexit and they certainly didn’t vote for the Tories. They should have a right to determine their own future.

That said, Nicola Sturgeon has said she will use the next election as a de facto referendum. If the SNP win more seats it will become a lot more difficult for Westminster to ignore the independence question.

I say this as someone who would be very sad to see Scotland leave the union.

Steve Collins Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The SNP needs to concentrate on Scotland’s domestic problems, instead of trying to create an unthinkable border between our two countries.

The once-in-a-lifetime referendum did take place and the people of Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom.

Ms Sturgeon needs to concentrate on her people’s needs and lay her obsession for independence to rest.

Roger Grant

Thurnscoe, South Yorks

As a Labour voter, I want the union to stay but I’m disappointed that Labour aren’t supporting the Scots’ right to choose their future through a legitimate referendum.

The situation is very different now than in 2014 when the original vote was held.

John Welsh, Carlisle, Cumbria

The UK establishment is all for Ukraine’s freedom to decide its future against Russian domination. So how can they deny Scotland the same right to decide whether they want to remain part of the UK? Sasha Simic, North London