Solution to puzzle of how to make referendum reflect people’s views

ON the subject of the form of the referendum question(s), I agree with Andrew Reid’s comment (Letters, May 18) that “the final decision about the terms of the referendum should reflect people’s views and not just those of politicians”.

To embrace all possible views or options and to minimise the cost of the exercise, surely logic dictates there should be two questions, but on one referendum ballot paper, as follows:

Q1. Do you want “the status quo” OR “a change”?

Q2. (Only for those who opted for “a change” in Q1.) What kind of change do you wish to see?

2.1 “No devolution” (as existed prior to 1999) OR 2.2 “Maximum devolution” (of all tax and spending decisions) OR 2.3 “Complete independence”? I wonder if this approach would even find favour with certain Scottish Conservatives, including Lord Forsyth of Drumlean. Alastair Murdoch, 7a Crofthead Street, Strathaven. THE row about SNP MSP Joan Mcalpine seems somewhat over the top from the perspective of people in the south of Scotland, particularly Dumfriesshire, where she has an office and where she has fast established herself as a hard-working and popular MSP (“Salmond aide apology after putting lunch before duties”, The Herald, May 18).

In the past few weeks she has given her support to local businesses, Annan Athletic FC and community events such as the Annan Harbour Festival. She has also been a doughty campaigner for road safety in towns such as Langholm and is a champion of the arts as a means of economic regeneration across the region as a whole. She travelled a long way to present a posthumous service medal to a widow in Lochmaben whose late husband fought in Malaya.

As I understand parliamentary protocol, her question will be answered in writing. She has apologised and that should be the end of it. Ronald Welsh, Ravenswood House, Annan, Dumfriesshire. I READ with interest the article about Joan Mcalpine’s lunch. Why do MSPS receive heavily subsidised meals when they are paid far more than the average wage? Allan Macaskill, 5 Ferryfield Road, Connel.