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Ballot questions dividing a nation

Once upon a time (March 1979), there was a vote in Scotland on devolution.

The result was Yes: 1,230,937; No: 1,153,502. Very close? No. All the people on the electoral roll who didn't vote (36.37%) were counted as No voters. Can we make sure the next vote is a straight Yes/No, and that the majority of votes cast wins the day?

Tom Black

Dundee

Unlike Alexander McKay, I don't believe people are crying out for a simple Yes/No question on the independence referendum ballot paper (Yes or No – the issue's that simple, Letters, July 15). I think many voters want to explore of all the options available before deciding the constitutional future of their country.

It is a sign of a healthy democracy that people should be able to freely express their views as to how this historic process should proceed, and put forward their own suggestions regarding how many questions should be on the ballot paper and how they should be worded.

Recent opinion polls suggest that an increasing number of voters would like to see two questions on the ballot paper, and to insult people who hold those views by describing them as "nerds" does Scotland a grave disservice.

Ruth Marr

Stirling

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