Indyref question should change

IF our country is eventually wearied enough and forced into another referendum, there are some changes to the 2014 version that are essential for fairness. Then, the SNP was given every possible advantage – perhaps the pro-UK side was over-confident. The nationalists were given the choice of wording – which many found slanted towards those proposing breaking up the UK. They were given the crucial Yes choice, which many experts claim gives about an automatic five per cent advantage, as well as choice of age eligibility and date and other giveaways. That the nationalists contrived to lose after all that says much.

In Canada, beset for years by a separatist movement in Quebec similar to the SNP, the central government eventually acted. It had to – two lost referendums and continuing calls for another that were destroying Quebec’s economy. It decided to alter the wording of any future referendum to reflect what was actually involved in breaking up Canada. It became instead of a Yes or No, a Stay or Leave choice. The people were forced to think and the separatist movement has stalled, perhaps aware of the answer it would get in another referendum. Many think the present situation there is permanent.

A recent Survation poll, taken from March 9-12, found that when Scots were asked if there was a referendum with the question should Scotland leave or remain part of the UK, 57% voted to remain and 43% to leave.

The infinitely clearer Leave-Remain choice will reflect much more the true feelings of the people of this country. Legislation should be enacted now to stop one side in any future referendum ever having again the advantages the SNP had in 2014. Fairness should not need to be a demand.

Alexander McKay, Edinburgh.