Holding a people against their will appears similar to march of fascism

Sir, – Scottish democracy is clearly an illusion. The UK is not a voluntary union so I challenge the unionists to prove otherwise.

If not then this appears similar to the march of fascism, holding people against their will and denying the chance to test that will.

Holyrood has no direct or lawful way of asking the people of Scotland whether they wish to be an independent country.

Diehard unionists seem delighted by the confirmation of Holyrood’s subordination but I suspect some of them rightly have a sense of a political trap.

Judges generally are receptive to making decisions on the basis of the law rather than embarking on speculation about their impact on the decision in the world of politics.

It appears the fact that a second referendum would have real world impact on the union justifies not having one.

The Scotland Act is not a constitution so it can be changed.

The Scots retain the right under the claim of right in 1989 to determine the form of government best suited to their needs, once endorsed by Labour and the Lib Dems who it seems have changed their minds, yet the Scots are not allowed to.

The Supreme Court said Scotland could not use international law as a basis for seeking independence because it was not oppressed or subject to violence. I am not quite sure international law has ever said the right to democracy and self-determination is dependent on either of these matters.

Democracy is a positive not a negative and the essence is that people should be able to change their minds.

Since 2014 a lot has happened, so it is surely right to ask that question again. The Scottish people have continued to return the SNP to power on a platform of independence so it seems reasonable to assume that sufficient numbers want to be asked again.

I now know how the Irish felt. Keir Hardie, founder of Labour, wanted independence for both

Ireland and Scotland. Labour seems to have lost the plot and are in a political vacuum given their belief of no return to the EU either despite Brexit being a disaster. However, the single market still thrives in Northern Ireland, as it should.

Labour are extremely worried also about relocating Trident as it has nowhere to go in England so is a vote loser for them.

It seems Scotland is too poor to be independent and too rich to let go. Schroedinger’s opinion, Scotland’s power and potential to achieve great things.

You only have to listen to the double speak from Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer to see the bind the UK is in.

The decision made was intensely political and the real reason why the unionists are so happy is that they won’t lose Scotland’s wealth.

This ruling could cause chaos. The ball is firmly in the unionist court. Ignoring Scotland’s people is no longer an option.