What next for the nationalist dream of independence?
■ After Thursday’s elections, the stark choice for Scotland is whether to be an independent European country or a small part of the Brexit Tory One-Party state. And Scotland should have the right to choose. Soon.
However, the Tory tactic could be to let the Scottish parliament pass a referendum bill and then call for a unionist boycott of the vote, thereby leaving Scotland in a legal limbo. This could mean that Scotland’s only democratic route to independence would be through a plebiscite election, and the SNP should be prepared for that eventuality.
Dave, Edinburgh
■ Labour should now make it clear it will 100 per cent support Scottish independence and save us millions in taxes and be ready for Tory lies about security, all while guaranteeing Scottish resources.
C Saxby, Charlton
■ I’m surprised to see the lengths some will go to in order to keep Scotland in the union. Lies, mistruths and tactical voting to keep a country in the union, when we are a basket case that must be subsidised by Westminster. Explain!
Just Jack, Musselburgh
■ The Royal Bank of Scotland has said that it would remove its head office from an independent Scotland as we do not have the resources to stand alone. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon obviously thinks she knows better so we can only hope that, should we have a second referendum, she suffers the embarrassment of losing again.
We could not have coped with the pandemic alone and the EU has made it clear we will not be allowed back.
Laurie, Renfrewshire
■ I am sick and tired of hearing Nicola Sturgeon going on and on about independence while having her hands deep in the UK financial pockets.
If the Scots want independence, fine, give it to them, but it needs to be clear that the day independence happens, all funding and support from the rest of the UK stops.
So, Nicola, just how do you propose to fund your NHS, housing, benefits, social services, Armed Forces, police? And what about currency? Not in the UK? Well, you can’t have sterling. And what makes you think the EU will welcome Scotland with open arms? What about a hard border between England and Scotland? It is all very noble and ‘Braveheart’ to bang on about being independent but is it the best thing for the people of Scotland? I think it would be an economic and social disaster that Scotland would take decades to recover from. Sorry, Nicola, but you
can’t have your cake and eat it. You take the Queen’s shilling, you dance to her tune. You can’t be independent while dipping your fingers in the UK’s pockets.
Des, Essex
Boris Johnson should give Ms Sturgeon her referendum. With her record in Scotland on education, housing and jobs, they must be confident that she’ll make a complete mess of being an independent country. Roger, Wolverhampton
As Scotland’s decision whether to leave the UK affects all citizens of the United Kingdom, the whole of the UK, not just those currently residing in Scotland, should be given a vote in any forthcoming referendum that may break up the union.