Sir, – How dare Nicola Sturgeon suggest the UK Government is undemocratic.
Ms Sturgeon has steadfastly refused to accept the democratic will of the people as expressed in September 2014.
She twists the result of the UK-wide EU referendum to her own divisive ends.
Ms Sturgeon continues to peddle the fantasy that a second referendum must take place while the United Kingdom is still in the EU. Why?
Brussels followed by one European country after another has told Ms Sturgeon time and again that, under all circumstances, Scotland leaves the EU along with the rest of the UK.
As every opinion poll shows, few, except the SNP establishment and their dyed-in-the-wool supporters, want another referendum.
It is time Ms Sturgeon listened to and respected the views of the people instead of perpetually pumping out puerile anti-UK rhetoric.
Martin Redfern.
4 Royal Circus,
Edinburgh.
Repetition of history
Sir, – Nicola Sturgeon condemns Theresa May as “unelected” but this implies we have a presidential system, whereas we have a parliamentary system, in which prime ministers hold office through the support of a majority of MPs.
There’s a sense in which history is repeating itself because Douglas Young, wartime leader of the SNP, when encouraging the Scots to refuse conscription, also accused Winston Churchill of being “unelected”.
Rev Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Mrs May right to take tough line
Sir, – With her playground taunt claiming those who do not agree with her are running scared on her demand for another referendum, Nicola Sturgeon reveals more about her own insecurities.
It is unbecoming for our First Minister to resort to such juvenile antics. Confronted with this behaviour, the UK Prime Minister is right in taking the principled stance in seeking to protect everyone’s interests rather than giving in to those who are only satisfied when they get their own way.
Keith Howell.
White Moss,
West Linton.
Standards are slipping
Sir, – I wonder if Ken Clark who writes (March 16) that the SNP is making a significant and positive difference to the quality of life of the average Scot, would like to qualify that statement?
Significant yes, but positive no. What is positive about a chronic shortage of teachers, with headteachers asking parents to teach exam pupils, wards closing in NHS hospitals because of a shortage of staff, GP shortages, potholes in the roads and one in four children in Scotland living in poverty to name but a few things?
I’m beginning to think I live in a Third World country.
Kate Ramsay.
Beech Cottage.
Station Road,
Woodside.
Democracy overlooked
Sir,- It is intriguing to note the brass neck of a Tory party with one MP in Scotland trying to prevent the democratically elected Scottish Parliament from holding a referendum on our nation’s future.
There must be many who are indeed against independence but believe it is our right as a nation to determine our future.
The right to self-determination is defined in the UN Charter. Article One comments on the need for the development of friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
If anything illustrates the nature of the union and the clear need for independence, it is the current scenario.
The holding of a referendum between autumn 2018 and Spring 2019 is, of course, highly logical.
In autumn 2018 we will know the shape of the deal with the EU, as set out in the UK Government’s own timetable.
There is then a period of six months between autumn 2018 and spring 2019 over which time the deal will be ratified by member states.
If these nations are to have a say on the UK’s future, it seems odd that Scotland wouldn’t be afforded the same opportunity to decide which path it wants to take.
The failure of the Tories to allow a referendum, riding roughshod over the Scottish Parliament, has added yet another nail in the coffin of the union.
Alex Orr.
77 Leamington Terrace,
Edinburgh.
Spain will block EU entry bid
Sir, – Two important points about the position of an independent Scotland seem to have escaped the notice of the SNP and its fellow travellers. Any application by Scotland to join the EU will be vetoed by Spain so as to make it clear to the Catalans that they too will be shut out of the EU if they break away from Spain, and to deter them from doing so.
Once freed from the restraining influence of the union, England will revert to type and bully its small neighbour mercilessly.
It may be going too far to say that Scotland will play Ukraine to England’s Russia, but the relationship, if not the precise method of operating, will be exactly the same.
Michael JB Almond.
The Retreat,
Grange,
Errol.
A government working hard
Sir, – I was intrigued by the charge from opposition politicians that the SNP were not concentrating on the day job so I looked up the Scottish Government website.
I discovered that last week alone, areas of action included funding for new housing, a report on life sciences, protecting peat lands, consultation on a new social security panels system, a report on the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s universities, funding for digital skills and expansion of foundation apprenticeships, new renewable energy schemes, expansion of broadband and a new team looking at rail issues in the north east of Scotland.
The difficulty I suspect for opposition politicians is that the SNP Government also sees as part of its day job, a responsibility to protect the long-term interests of both the national economy and wellbeing of the people.
Iain Anderson.
41 West End,
St Monans.
Terrorism must not win
Sir, – Although the return of the Ryder Cup to Gleneagles next year would be welcome, I hope France manages to retain it.
Relocating the competition because of security fears would be a coup for terrorists.
We have to accept we are in a war-like situation, take strong precautions but carry on with our lives.
If terrorists succeed in driving the Ryder Cup from France they will be encouraged to step up their activities.
Robert Anderson.
Kirkton,
Arbroath.