Planforchange

The SNP are making independence the main issue in the May election. If they get an overall majority they will demand another referendum. So far, the polls are sympathetic. We voted 62 per cent to stay in Europe, but were taken out by English nationalists. Many find Boris Johnson and his government hard to bear.

But we should be careful what we wish for. The LSE say that independence would damage the Scottish economy three times more than Brexit. The Brexiteers dismissed wellinformed concern as “Project Fear”. It took us four and a half years to discover what we voted for.

So Westminster should refuse another referendum until detailed proposals are rigorously assessed. A Royal Commission on the Constitution should have that as their first priority. The members should be of judicial integrity and authority and clear of party politics. After examining indyref2, they should assess the need for devolution throughout the UK, whether regional or federal, and the reform of the Lords and the electoral system. That would update Kilbrandon, now 50 years old, and free us up to concentrate on Covid-19. That should be our overwhelming priority.

Failing Westminster consent, the SNP plan a unilateral referendum. Would it be recognised by the EU? If so, would we meet the criteria for admission? An independent Scotland might find itself out of both UK and EU, with hard borders for both the 60 per cent of our exports going to the UK and 29 per cent to the EU. Financial services would be hit. With Covid-19, no block grant and no power to borrow, we would struggle to maintain pensions and public services. Nationalist governments might quarrel across the border, over assets and debts for example. More “Project Fear”? Better ask the Commission than find out the hard way.

DAVID GRACIE Regent Terrace, Edinburgh