Politics and trust

What has happened to trust in politics (“Labour call for general election – but refuse to reveal Brexit stance”, The Scotsman, 12 January)?

We have the unedifying scenario of Labour challenging the Tories on Brexit without a viable alternative policy. We have the SNP egging Labour on. We find a split developing in the ranks of the SNP over which leader to support. We have splits on Brexit in both Conservative and Labour parties. We have the speaker of the House of Commons making up the rules as he goes along and we have the result of democratic referendum votes being challenged from every angle.

There is a simple solution to most of this (except the Salmond vs Sturgeon debate) which seems to have fallen by the wayside: The results of both the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and the 2016 European Union membership referendum must be honoured in their entirety.

This means no more Indyref2 for a generation and, as we voted to leave the European Union, this must be done cleanly, hence the “no deal” option is now the only way forward.

One final thought. No more referendums until the rules make it crystal-clear what constitutes a “win” and this is agreed by all parties (including the public) in advance. A referendum on referendums! Poetic justice or simply a recipe for more confusion?

(DR) GERALD EDWARDS

Broom Road, Glasgow

As the Prime Minister heads for inevitable defeat in the parliamentary vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, Parliament will need to step in and resolve the matter.

The solution seems relatively easy. In selecting a Pope, the cardinals meet in a conclave – literally meaning “with a key”,

They are locked together until a Pope is selected and white smoke is famously released. In the 13th century it took almost three years (12681271) to select a new Pope following the death of Pope Clement IV. As a result of the length of the election three of the 20 cardinals died.

One way to hasten agreement on the way ahead after tomorrow’s vote is to lock the chamber doors until a solution is forthcoming.

With more than 600 MPS crammed together in the chamber I predict that a positive outcome will be quickly produced.

ALEX ORR Marchmont Road, Edinburgh