Time for Labour, Tories and Lib Dems to form a Scottish national unity party

Like, I’m sure, many of my fellow Scots, I have reached the limit of my tolerance for the destructive, divisive and incompetent SNP’S incessant and unjustifiable drive for another referendum. I am not prepared to see this process extended beyond the 2021 Holyrood general election.

To halt such destruction and division, I propose that Ruth Davidson, Richard Leonard and Willie Rennie set out immediately to form a national Unity Party, as the only constitutional way to defeat the SNP in 2021.

This party would have a limited set of aims, but one which all Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat members could subscribe to: constitutional reform, repair of our public services, most notably education, health, police and infrastructure.

If this party could form the next Scottish Government in 2021, it would have the advantage of a professional rather than the present amateurish composition; it would stop the SNP in its constantly whingeing and false grievance-laden tracks; it would discourage their less rabid members; it would restore business confidence; and by showing that Scots can work productively together, it would demonstrate that the SNP’S divisiveness need be no part of our country.

Furthermore, so that no one be alarmed that their present party allegiance would be taken from them, I suggest that the Unity Party’s duration be set at no more than two Parliaments, so that the desired constitutional reforms can take place before traditional party ideologies can again be followed.

The damage, morally, politically, fiscally, structurally and emotionally, that the SNP have caused in Scotland has now reached that acute,extreme point where the restoration of what unifies our country must take precedence over individual party allegiances.

Ms Davidson, Mr Leonard and Mr Rennie now have a duty of care towards Scotland which transcends their parties’ interests. A Unity Party is needed, now. CATHERINE MOOREHEAD

Kingussie, Highland

The SNP have shown great commitment to their cause and they are perfectly entitled to make the best case they can for “independence”.

However, there is a risk that the end justifies the means when they are so sure of being right and that real damage becomes a price worth paying.

A current mantra is “Tory Brexit shambles” and the Tories do have a lot to answer for. However, the SNP MPS were among the very few who actually had the power to facilitate a sensible outcome.

They poured scorn on the withdrawal agreement before they had any time to give it any consideration. The only specific criticism referred to the “backstop” which comes from their new best friends in the EU. It is also supported by the majority in Northern Ireland.

Their 35 votes together with a real commitment to working positively with others would have allowed the agreement to pass and we would now be in an orderly situation with two years to negotiate future trade terms.

They claim that their offers of compromise have been rejected, but given their belligerent approach, how sincere has their commitment to true compromise been?

Scotland should be represented in negotiations and the SNP should have been making a positive case for how they could help in the difficult situation we face.

They have repeatedly voted with the DUP and extreme right-wing Conservatives rather than with lifelong supporters of the EU.

We now have the prospect of Boris Johnston and a “no deal Brexit” which would cause real harm to Scotland. Well done SNP.

It looks like the plan was to create maximum disruption and pass the blame. Is this really a positive, honest way to promote “independence”?

PETER MURPHY Alyth, Perth and Kinross.