Since the current Wendy Alexander brouhaha began I have argued that the SNP government, in its own interests, should call Ms Alexander's bluff by responding positively to her "bring it on" scenario for holding a referendum. I assume that the SNP goal remains an independent Scotland and not establishing a competent regime at Holyrood for our delectation and the approval of the chattering classes. For Ms Alexander has committed the biggest gaffe in Scottish public life for a generation, perhaps longer.

Since the current Wendy Alexander brouhaha began I have argued that the SNP government, in its own interests, should call Ms Alexander's bluff by responding positively to her "bring it on" scenario for holding a referendum. I assume that the SNP goal remains an independent Scotland and not establishing a competent regime at Holyrood for our delectation and the approval of the chattering classes. For Ms Alexander has committed the biggest gaffe in Scottish public life for a generation, perhaps longer.

The danger for the SNP lies in its own successful narrative and performance since forming a government. The more it displays its competence, perhaps with a slice of shortbread added, aka fiscal autonomy, the more likely settling for the status quo becomes. The Scottish psyche is not geared towards radical action. This paradox remains the most potent of realities. New Labour is in total disarray, and not to seek to exploit that in relation to the big prize would be politically disingenuous, which is why, of course, the disingenuous and the "feart" support the current timetabling until 2010.

Chris Walker, West Kilbride.

A newspaper columnist once described Wendy Alexander as "galactically bright". If so, then, although I am no expert on astrophysics, Ms Alexander is a spiral galaxy spiralling out of control. On last Sunday's Politics Show Scotland, she appeared to make up constitutional policy as she went along, live on air. At Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, her friend and patron, Gordon Brown, flatly disavowed her call for an early referendum on Scottish independence. She herself seemed, the same evening, to be back- pedalling and adopting Mr Brown's diplomatic formula designed to get her off the hook. Later, her colleague, Iain Gray MSP, failed to explain party policy. Was it the same as 10 minutes before? Would it be the same later?

We got the answer at First Minister's Questions yesterday. Ms Alexander had reverted to her original call. In reply to one of Alex Salmond's gibes, Ms Alexander replied: "I am not the problem " If that is what she genuinely believes, then she should replay the tape of that comment but watch the face of her colleague Pauline McNeill behind her. Her eyes bore out the political adage: your opponents are in front of you, but your enemies are behind you. Ms Alexander should watch her back.

Thomas McLaughlin, Jordanhill, Glasgow.

AM I suffering from hallucinations? I was clearly under the impression that I saw and heard on more than one occasion the current leader of the Labour MSPs, Wendy Alexander, declare she was in favour of a referendum on Scottish independence. Yet Gordon Brown has declared she didn't say that. However, at First Ministers Questions yesterday, she again called for a referendum. Could it be the Prime Minister who is suffering from some form of delusion?

Mags MacLaren, Paisley.