Electorate needs clear and unequivocal statement of what a vote for SNP means

Nicola Sturgeon tells us one day that the June election is not a vote on an independence referendum. Alex Salmond tells us the next day that it is! It would be most uncharacteristic of the SNP’S propaganda machine to allow wires to get crossed as would seem to be the case here. So what exactly is going on?

In the 2016 Holyrood election the SNP was careful to avoid an unequivocal commitment to a referendum. It would only be called if certain conditions were met and the specified example was one which not even they expected to be fulfilled. Voters, therefore, heard what they wanted to hear. Those who wanted a referendum would be tempted to vote for the SNP and those who vote for them for other reasons such as their populist policies would not be put off by the prospect of another fractious campaign.

It appears they are up to the same game in the June election. Yes, a vote for the SNP is a vote for a referendum and no, it isn’t! Yet another example of the Janus-like approach of this most dishonest of political parties.

The electorate need a clear and unequivocal statement of exactly what a vote for the SNP means – and I mean in terms of the constitution, because nobody in Scotland is under any illusions about the all-important issue in this election. Moreover, since being “dragged out of the EU” is the current raison d’etre for indyref2 the voters also deserve a clear and unequivocal statement of the SNP’S position on the EU. Would an independent Scotland seek to become a full member of the EU or just join the EFTA or EAA? Or none of these?

I won’t hold my breath, but equally I am not too worried if the SNP does not clarify its approach. The polls are suggesting that a huge majority of voters are becoming too savvy to be duped any longer by this party’s attempt to be all things to all men. Mixed messages just won’t wash any more.

COLIN HAMILTON Braid Hills Avenue, Edinburgh Alex Salmond’s curious latest intervention in the June election may be more than meets the eye. Theresa May said “now is not the time”, Alex Salmond obviously disagrees but for a very different reason. It is becoming crystal clear that independence is a vote loser, hence this is why Nicola Sturgeon is trying to distance the June election from this topic. Alex Salmond must have access to the same voter information that Ms Sturgeon has, so if he really wanted an overwhelming Scottish National Party victory, why would he bring up the independence question again?

There can only be one answer. He expects Ms Sturgeon to end up with egg on her face by 9 June and therefore give himself the perfect opportunity to “rescue” the SNP whilst saying that he is only trying to help get a bigger mandate for independence.

As they say in pantomime, “Nicola, he’s behind you” GERALD EDWARDS Broom Road, Glasgow