Your views online
Is Scotland ‘dying’?
Mark Smith’s column arguing the Scotland he knew was dying as support for independence grew, according to polls, caused significant debate online.
“The fact that the FM’S briefings are generally welcomed and followed by the large majority is because they are clear and concise, and above all sensible. The attempt by Smith to claim otherwise, with his use of an elderly couple’s opinions, demonstrates his lack of understanding, as it does your own. Thankfully, more and more are beginning to realise the divisiveness that the abusive and abrasive cult of Unionism causes in our society and, rather than lament its passing, its demise is being welcomed.”
Finn Macgolgan, heraldscotland.com
“There is nothing intrinsically wrong with unions. Scotland will begin its renewed independence by joining many good ones, including, for example, the UN. Even Brexiteers accept that union. But that doesn’t mean they are all good. Some are bad and work *against* the best interests of Scotland and the unequal Brit one fits into that category. Thus we will join many, and leave one... That’s all – no drama, no contradiction, no confusion.”
Euan Leckie, heraldscotland.com
“First, it’s not nationalism to support self-determination for your country. Plenty of non-nationalists do. Secondly, you can still feel Scottish and British (and European, if so inclined) culturally and geographically, whatever your views on political and constitutional arrangements. I still feel European in many important ways even after Brexit. I would still feel British in many important ways even after Scottish independence. You can still talk of European literature, art, music, history, geography, football, etc, even after Brexit. You could still talk of British literature, art, music, history, geography, football, etc, even after Scottish independence. Thirdly. You will find them in people of all ages and all political views. Circumstances change. New knowledge is acquired. Attitudes on particular issues can change even if character and personality remain the same.”
Eric Clive, heraldscotland.com
“Change is happening, it has happened throughout history and is never going to stop happening. People change, they have to change to meet other changes that happen around them. Such change is the natural way of things. What is not natural is to say no I am not changing, I like the way things are, it suits me, I don’t care what others do, I just want to be left as I am. Without changes in life and in people, human life and society as we know it would not exist today. Scotland is not ‘dying’ Mr Smith. It is changing, not dying.”
Andrew Mcmillan, heraldscotland,com
“Very true leading headline! The days of Scotland being part of the UK are ending. With that the UK as an entity ceasing to exist as the Treaty of Union of Great Britain is dissolved.”
Douglas Thomson, heraldscotland.com
“Once again many words have been written about the possibility of independence, everybody has, and quite rightly so, an opinion on such an important question in relation to Scotland’s future. Putting all that aside, we as a nation must ask ourselves, do we really want to be ruled from Westminster by Boris Johnson?”
Alastair Scott, heraldscotland.com
Scotland needs fiscal levers to battle Covid
Jonathon Shafi wrote that Scotland must have the full powers of independence to deal with Covid’s economic legacy, sparking many comments.
“Until Scotland has satisfactorily used all existing devolutionary powers – including the onerous responsibilities of welfare – talk of independence will be premature.”
Liam Baxter, heraldscotland.com
“The reality is that staying in the UK will cost us much more than independence.”
Alastair Campbell, heraldscotland.com