Cable’s two-vote suggestion is neither liberal nor democratic

“WE have catch’d Scotland and will bind her fast” crowed the Westminster parliament in 1707. By the 1970s, a new interpretation could be “we have catch’d Scotland’s oil and will exploit it fast”. And now Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has come up with the astonishing suggestion that after Scotland has voted for independence, there should be a second vote (“Cable: Two polls needed”, The Herald, September 14).

Sir Vince, in a desperate attempt to bind Scotland fast, wants to put a further obstacle in the path of Scottish self-determination; there is nothing either liberal or democratic about his proposal, which the electorate will doubtless treat with the contempt it deserves.

Ruth Marr,

99 Grampian Road, Stirling.

JILL Stephenson uses a blunderbuss approach in her letter today (September 14).

She claims the SNP is dissolving into factions, basing her comments on the Growth Commission Report; she doesn’t understand that the

SNP is using national assemblies to discuss the report. As far as I can gather these assemblies have been sell-outs, and amicable discussions. SNP members like to be asked for their opinions. Sounds like big branch meetings to me.

She also questions Nicola Sturgeon’s “diktats” being ignored, particularly with regard to Alex Salmond’s show (not shown Thursday evening as they showed the “Novichok culprits”), because an SNP MP has decided to be interviewed on it. Shock, horror, dismay. Actually she appears to be hugging herself with glee at another “SNP baaad” attack, as she finds other SNP members due to speak at a Hope Over Fear rally, involving one Tommy Sheridan, who also seeks independence – how dare he.

Ms Stephenson bewails the SNP “claimed” membership of 125,000, which is a factual figure; she is obviously upset that the Tories only have 124,000, but this is for the whole of Britain. It is correct that vast numbers entering the independence cause are impatient, but that is perfectly natural; the new members always want instant change – it was the same when I joined the SNP more than 50 years ago, but surely even Ms Stephenson must accept that the Brexit bourach must give some idea of where the UK will end up?

There is an old adage, attributed to Napoleon “If your enemy is making a mistake, do not tell them”, oh dear, I think I just did.

Jim Lynch,

42 Corstorphine Crescent Hill, Edinburgh.

THE UK Government has published its scary plans for a “no-deal” Brexit. But what are Nicola Sturgeon’s plans for the “deal” Brexit Michel Barnier expects in eight weeks’ time (“Barnier targets a deal within two months”, The Herald, September 11? Will she announce the death of “Brexit means Indyref2”?

More importantly for the rest of us which of the 50 new major postbrexit agencies, jobs and localised powers does she propose obtaining? With a weak, discredited SNP the Westminster “power grab” could easily become the Holyrood “power beg”. Or will it be up to 13 wellconnected, trusted, Tory MPS to do her work for her?

Allan Sutherland,

1 Willow Row, Stonehaven. THERE can be no greater evidence of how low the Conservatives have sunk than the support their MEPS have given to the authoritarian government of Viktor Orban in a crunch vote in the European Parliament.

In a desperate attempt to deliver allies in the Brexit negotiations, almost all of the politicians representing Theresa May’s party voted against a motion to censure the Hungarian leader, which in the end was overwhelmingly passed (“Hungary faces EU sanctions”, the Herald, September 13).

Their support for the right-wing leader, accused of violating press freedoms, undermining judicial independence and waging an antisemitic campaign against Jewish businessman George Soros, as well as describing refugees as “Muslim invaders”, beggars belief. Mr Orban’s government is also subject to allegations of corruption relating to the alleged misspending of EU funds by his friends and family.

Politicians from across the EU voted by a two-thirds majority in favour of starting the Article 7 process – which could ultimately see Hungary stripped of its voting rights at the European Council.

It is absolutely shocking that the Conservative MEPS voted against that motion, but as the party lurches to the right and desperately scrambles for allies in the Brexit negotiations, it should come as no real surprise.

Alex Orr,

Flat 2, 77 Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh.

DURING First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood this week I was amused to hear Nicola Sturgeon’s reaction to the position of members of the EIS teachers’ union, when she described their condemnation of P1 children testing as “a difference of opinion”.

This reflects well on her lawyer’s training in how to handle severe criticism of her current education policy, which is now in tatters, and underlines her position with all the unions as “a difference of opinion”. Dennis Forbes Grattan, 3 Mugiemoss Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen.

● Have your say:

The Editor, The Herald, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB; e-mail: letters@theherald.co.uk

I’VE enjoyed being a Herald reader for many years and have applauded the newspaper’s many very important breaking news stories during this time.

However, yesterday’s lead story “Commons probe over ‘security breach’ by Corbyn aide”, The Herald, September 13) is surely the most unworthy of news stories ever to have graced Page 1 of The Herald, and appeared to be yet another of the all-too-familiar anti Corbyn smear stories which appear on a daily basis in virtually every other national newspaper.

Alex Shearer,

3 Langdales Avenue, Cumbernauld.

I NOTE with interest Alastair Patrick’s letter (September 14). Whilst I too think that it would be nice if Scotland could win two games in a row, I suspect that there will be more than a few people north of Hadrian’s Wall who would disagree. The area north of the wall that is designated “England”, comprising most of Northumberland (where I live), and parts of Tyne and Wear and Cumbria, has a population of approximately 600,000, roughly one per cent of England’s population. Whilst there are some exiled Scots, such as myself, most, I imagine, couldn’t care less. The Wall isn’t the Border.

Hugh Lamont,

2 The Steadings,

Old Hartley, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland.