Talk of a nationwide clamour to hold Indyref2 doesn’t ring true for Scots voters
“Sturgeon vows to update on indyref amid clamour for quickfire vote” (your report, 12 April). Just where is this “clamour” coming from?
Only just under 45 per cent of Scots wanted independence last time. There is no sign that Brexit has altered this, if anything, support has dropped because Brexit has shown just how difficult any major split can be. Similarly, the SNP’S call for a second vote on Brexit is problematic, even for itself. Having another Scottish independence vote would be expensive and disruptive. Scotland would lose credibility and the SNP, itself, could be committing political suicide. Nicola Sturgeon has boxed herself in due to the fervour of a number of independence supporters who are using their shrill tactics to influence her. This failed in 2014, it will fail again and Nicola Sturgeon cannot win no matter what happens. How can she make this momentous decision, before Brexit has even happened, without alienating a huge number of Scots? The glamour of another independence referendum has lost its sparkle.
(DR) GERALD EDWARDS
Broom Road, Glasgow
I find it difficult to reconcile why Scotland with the Barnett Formula gets 20 per cent more per head than the rest of the UK, yet our devolved essential services are in such bad shape.
Despite more money being spent, Education, the NHS and the Scottish economy are all performing poorly and I would question the effectiveness of the SNP administration in handling Scottish affairs.
Could it be that money is being diverted by the SNP administration into expensive consultancy fees preparing reports on how to achieve independence against the will of the people ?
DENNIS FORBES GRATTAN
Mugiemoss Road Bucksburn, Aberdeen
Your report (11 April) of Nicola Sturgeon’s view that an “independent” Scotland within the EU would have “a seat at the table... instead of being sidelined by Westminster” gave me a wry smile.
No doubt those members of the old Scottish Parliament who consigned it to oblivion some 300 years ago, and who are routinely blackguarded for it by the Nats, saw Scotland entering a common market with England and its empire and also getting seats “at the table” ... in Westminster.
S BECK
Craigleith, Edinburgh