Iain AD Mann and David Balfour both make perfectly sensible proposals for a multi-option referendum (Letters, January 17).
It seems to me that if the second question on enhanced devolution makes clear that it only takes effect if independence is rejected, then there need not be any confusion. This is by far my preference for the independence referendum.
If, however, there genuinely is concern that a two-question referendum would be confusing, an alternative would be a guaranteed two-stage referendum.
Mr Mann rightly worries that a "no" vote on a single-question referendum would lead to enhanced devolution being taken off the agenda, despite it still being preferred by most Scots.
However if the act of the Scottish Parliament contained a provision that a "no" vote would lead to a referendum on enhanced devolution six or 12 months later, then there could be no taking the question off the agenda as the action of the people in voting against independence will have been the trigger for the referendum on enhancing devolution.
Westminster could not stop it without attempting to repeal Scottish Parliament legislation without a consent motion from Holyrood, an explosive proposition.
Nor should there be any Unionist opposition to this. I recall that shortly after the SNP's victory last May, there was much talk of two votes being needed for independence, so they can hardly object in principle to two ballots here.
My own preference remains to resolve the question with a two-question referendum on a single day, but this alternative is also acceptable and would give the Unionists their "single clear question" without allowing enhanced devolution to be taken off the agenda.
Iain Paterson,
6 Methven Avenue,
Bearsden.
Any right-minded individual, regardless of legal niceties, inherently understands that a people, especially one with a democratically elected parliament, has the right to self determination.
In addition, any right-minded individual, regardless of political persuasion, understands that a two-question ballot can be absolutely decisive in the result it delivers.
However, any right-minded individual must be failing to understand why the Scottish Liberal Democrat Party (the proponents of federalist Britain) and, in particular, the Scottish Labour Party (who delivered the Parliament) are hiding behind the skirts of a discredited Tory-led Westminster Coalition and not standing up for Scotland by supporting a devo-max option.
Why would any self-respecting politician of any Scottish party believe that it was a good thing to operate within the powers conferred by the status quo and not take any opportunity to enhance them?
Clearly, both parties are still failing to grasp the new Scottish political realities.
Blair Allan,
2 Glasdrum Grove,
Fort William.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article