True democrats must accept the verdict of the electorate

By definition, that circumscribes freedom of tax and spend action within the separate jurisdictions of the UK. For instance, VAT is and will have to remain as it is. EU law does not permit otherwise (although of course Scotland could receive an equivalence of the VAT revenues raised on its soil). Equally, maintenance of a single pensions regime requires convergence in other aspects of tax and spend. A single central bank requires deeply circumscribed borrowing facilities. And so it goes on. Mr Mann, having lost his vote, is trying by another means to create an unstable structure which will then fall apart.

We should be wary of those who claim to be democrats who cannot accept the decision of that electorate. As for Mr Mann's comment that Scotland is now drifting off Westminster's radar: is he so deeply needy and so deeply insecure that he requires to be talked about all the time? There is a world out there.

There are terrible things happening in parts of it. I applaud a government and politicians who recognise their responsibilities to and in that world, and suggest a sense of perspective might benefit Mr Mann.

There were essentially two sides in this debate. Those of us who recognised - as did our ancestors in 1707 - the depth of the partnership with our much larger neighbour, and those of us who chose, for whatever reasons, to reject that partnership and its implications. To them I would simply say that it is better to be in bed with the elephant than to be sat on by it.

Hugh Andrew,

West Newington House,

10 Newington Road,

Edinburgh.

In claiming that "anything less than devo max would be a total betrayal", Iain AD Mann stands logic on its head. May I gently point out to Mr Mann that he, and indeed anyone who voted Yes in the recent referendum, voted to actively reject the offer of any new devolved powers, so his sense of betrayal is not only distinctly premature but seriously misplaced. It is also true that "devo max", as defined by Mr Mann in his letter, was never on offer. Any "failure" to implement it therefore breaks no promise and betrays no-one.

On September 18, a majority of Scots voted No to reject independence and to seek further devolved powers for the Scottish Parliament. The political parties are now negotiating to define and finalise these powers. When and if they reach an agreement their proposals will be accepted or rejected, not by the self-appointed losers in the referendum in search of a convenient betrayal narrative, but by the judgment and, dare I say it the democratic will, of all of the Scottish people.

Alex Gallagher,

12 Phillips Avenue,

Largs.

Lord Smith of Kelvin will find the task of leading the new devolution process even more challenging and much more politically sensitive than chairing the company that delivered the Commonwealth Games ("Parties told to compromise over new Holyrood powers", The Herald, September 24). However, if anyone can achieve compromise, he can. I write this because I had the privilege of serving as a trustee under his chairmanship during the creation of the Museum of Scotland. I have served on many committees, in both the public and private sectors, but his chairmanship skill during the often lengthy discussions between knowledgeable and highly motivated trustees of the National Museums was quite exceptional. Indeed it was a masterclass in the art of using courtesy in process and decisiveness in outcome. In this new task he will serve Scotland well, as he has done before in helping to deliver both the Museum of Scotland and the Commonwealth Games.

Ronnie Cramond,

Dunard Garden,

Oswald Road,

Edinburgh.

The referendum campaign appeared often to be pitched as a contest between Scotland (Holyrood) and England (Westminster). It has divided Scots against English, as witnessed by the treatment of the Westminster politicians on their visits to Scotland, and now there are rumblings of discontent from both countries regarding the need and timing of differing respective constitutional changes "vowed" for Scotland and as a consequence demanded ever more loudly from England (and presumably Wales and Northern Ireland also).

Perhaps it is time to look for ways to try to take some of the heat out of this growing Scotland/ England discord, before it gets out of hand, by demonstrating the respect each country has for the other. A start could be made by rethinking the choice of anthems used by each on sporting occasions. As regards Scotland, is it not time for us to stop harping on about sending an English king homewards some 700 years ago, and to adopt a more inspiring and not confrontational anthem such as Highland Cathedral? As regards England, is it not time to admit that God save the Queen is the UK rather than the England national anthem, and to encourage them to adopt something unarguably English such as Jerusalem ?

Alan Fitzpatrick,

10 Solomon's View,

Dunlop.

I can understand Councillor Frank McAveety's desire to take the Scottish Labour Party back to its working class roots but I fear the horse may have bolted ("Labour must rediscover authentic voice in battle for fairer Scotland", The Herald Agenda, September 29).

I sympathise with the principled people within the Labour Party who are working to make connection with the voters, but the recent explosion in membership for the Scottish National Party and the Green Party suggests that they are going elsewhere.

Councillor McAveety's admiration for the excellent turnout for the referendum voting process is to be echoed, but it did not come out of thin air. It largely came out of the hard work of the Yes campaign, who ran registration campaigns in areas not often visited by politicians.

Tribute has to be paid to the Radical Independence Campaign and the Yes campaigns in Glasgow West and West Dunbartonshire and Clydebank, which I have seen for myself. I am sorry that some Labour movement comrades were not part of the Yes campaign, which generated creativity, flash mobs singing Caledonia and vivacious political street debates. The involvement of our articulate young people must be cherished!

I hear some Labour movement comrades still using the same old "centre right" descriptions of the SNP's political stance, and it seems rich given that the six SNP MPs stood firmly against the latest phase of imperialist destruction in Iraq.

Until the Labour Party takes off its comfort blanket of "we are the left" it will continue to misunderstand what is happening in Scotland, which is that the SNP are perceived to be a popular left-inclined government.

Councillor Mc Aveety did himself no favours with his "tartan Torquemada" comment about our First Minister. That kind of language is not only disrespectful to Alex Salmond but to the Scottish electorate.

Maggie Chetty,

36 Woodend Drive,

Glasgow.

As a proud Scot living in France, I was in Glasgow on the eve of that historic moment, to savour the unprecedented euphoria of my fellow citizens, but - and this is a very big but - I am amazed that no-one had voiced concerns, during the run-up to that historic referendum, about the archaic voting system and procedures that prevail in this country. How can the electorate have faith in the results of an election in which no proof of ID is required and, as a result, doubt is cast upon the outcome?

In all other European countries, voters are not allowed into the voting precinct without the relevant ID and voting card, which are examined by a person of official status (often a municipal police officer). There is a second check of both documents by the presiding officer and he or she communicates the appropriate details verbally to the two assistant officers before the vote is cast. Finally the voting card is duly date-stamped for further use and the voter's signature is apposed in the register.

To nominate a proxy the voter has to apply in person, at any police station, with the necessary documents previously mentioned, to obtain an officially stamped permit. Postal voting is non-existent.

To conclude, I am incredulous that the people of this country can accept to vote, in such inherently flawed conditions, where there is such total lack of scrutiny.

Radical constitutional change is most assuredly required.

Sheena McCallum-Caron,

Gleneagles, Chemin des Perets, Le Mesnil-Esnard, France.