THERE is much talk in your pages (The Herald, June 25) about a second independence referendum. In spite of being an active campaigner for No in 2014 I am beginning to think that a second independence referendum is both inevitable and indeed necessary.

However, the Scottish Government will need to come up with a credible currency strategy and an honest budget and not make the same mistakes Alex Salmond made two years ago in scornfully dismissing questions posed and opinions expressed by experts, both in good faith, as being no more than scaremongering.

I genuinely hope that the Nationalists under the present First Minister and her deputy can rise to the challenge.

John Milne,

9 Ardgowan Drive,

Uddingston.

LIKE many who voted to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom, I was motivated by a desire to concentrate on the ties that bind and ensure that our nation remained connected – connected to each other, to our closest neighbours, to Europe and to the international community. I saw independence as being a folly, disruptive to the sort of engaged country I want my grandchildren to grow up in. Like many Scots, I believe in an open, tolerant, caring country where patriotism can thrive, but never to the detriment of our engagement with the international community and the care of those who suffer.

Despite the best efforts of the Prime Minister, the First Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Party I belong to, it is clear that my vision for the United Kingdom in Europe, whilst widely shared in Scotland, is not the majority view.

Attention will now naturally turn to Nicola Sturgeon’s proposals in light of the United Kingdom electing to leave the EU. We are in uncharted territory now. Previous divisions in Scotland now wane. This is a time for calm reflection by all, where the strategic second and third order effects of our decisions must be fully understood. Ms Sturgeon’s proposals which follow will deserve to be respectfully and carefully considered with open minds by Scots of all political, ethnic and social backgrounds who believe in the open, tolerant, caring society that is the raison d’être of the EU.

Allan C Steele,

22 Forres Avenue,

Giffnock.

I AM European. I am a Scot. I am not prepared to allow the substantial rights to which both those statements entitle me to be surrendered to the folly of our dear neighbours across the Border.

We Scots made quite clear our view of the government which was to lead us into this monumental crisis. Despite the assurances given about our continued partnership with Europe we find ourselves now among the pariahs of the western world.

I suspect I am not alone in wishing to challenge this purported exercise in democracy. The electorate of little England can do whatever it wishes to do but it has no right to deprive me or my kin of our joint citizenship. This is not me defying the will of the people in a democratic process: it is me saying that as a Scot and a European my people voted to remain and remain we must, and will.

KM Campbell,

Bank House, Doune.

UNIONISTS are rightly worried that desire for independence is alive and well and appears on the increase. Hence the repeated use of the mantra “once in a generation” when discussing the issue as if the phrase was a binding pledge rather than a form of emphasis during debate.

On the pro-independence side there is still a perceived sense of grievance at the way the referendum was run. There were Unionists apparently having access to the postal vote results prior to ballot date which may or may not have had influence on the Vow appearing in the final week, which in itself could be seen as infringing the rules. There were also numerous instances whereby the media was perceived (rightly or wrongly) to be biased towards the Unionist view point, but what is a hard fact with regards to the broadcast media, was the allocated time frame given to both sides of the argument.

Unlike the EU referendum whereby both sides were rightly afforded equal time slots, the independence referendum was run along the lines of a General Election with each main party given equal time. This meant there was a 3:1 bias in favour of the Unionists’ argument. Democracy should eventually win the day and when there is a democratic majority in favour of independence, just like leaving the EU, the people should be listened to and the leaders should apply the will of the people.

Andy Fulton,

33 Dalmahoy Crescent,

Bridge of Weir.

DURING the Scottish independence referendum we were assailed by scaremongering academics claiming that research funding would be slashed if we voted Yes. However, this morning (June 25) I was contacted by an Italian former colleague now working at an English university in high-tech research praising the Scottish vote to Remain and asking for Scottish citizenship, as he fears that EU funding will cease and is now considering an offer from Holland for his expertise. He also pointed out that, whilst he was welcomed everywhere in Scotland, he is often treated as a “foreigner” in his part of England.

It’s time that the Scottish public took back control of our destiny and put aside narrow party political differences by voting Yes in the next referendum to be part of a progressive, internationalist, outward-looking independent Scotland within the European Union.

Fraser Grant,

61 Warrender Park Road,

Edinburgh.

THERE are individuals who will remain with the UK no matter what it does: I respect that.

I joined the SNP in 1976 because Unionist parties were failing many people in Scotland whose lives were less secure than mine. Now Brexit is imposing insecurity on everyone, astonishing and angering our friends in Europe and creating unease amongst EU citizens here.

I was disappointed but philosophical after the referendum result in 2014 but the outcome of the EU referendum has left me stunned, disappointed, angry and emotionally drained. In my lifetime there has never been a UK decision so damaging to our citizens and to the spirit of internationalism.

The North American who turned to me in a shop and said “I’m glad Scotland voted to stay” and the shop assistant elsewhere who said “I am proud that we voted to stay in” mirrored my immense pride in Scotland’s voters.

A Scottish social democratic nation within Europe is waiting in the wings: think about it.

Colin Campbell,

Braeside, Shuttle Street,

Kilbarchan.

IN 2014 Scots were assured that only by voting to remain in the UK would membership of the EU be “guaranteed”. Less than two years later, England votes to leave the EU, dragging Scotland with her. As many of those who made the “guarantee” in 2014 were prominent in the Brexit campaign, would they care to explain what seems to some to have been misrepresentation of their previously stated position, and apologise for their deliberate deception of the people of Scotland?

I suspect not, partly as they will be too busy jockeying for position as their own political parties indulge in internecine power struggles, and partly (and mostly) because they don’t have the moral courage to admit their deception.

T J Dowds,

6Q Fleming Road,

Cumbernauld.