I agree with Iain Macwhirter (Voices, September 23) and with Nicola Sturgeon, that it is desirable to delay the implementation of Article 50.

The difficulty, as I see it, which underlies everything we do with the EU, is that the political leadership of other 27 countries thinks that Europe is a GOOD thing whereas the political leadership of the UK does not.

I do believe Europe is a good thing and I shall continue to hope that the political leadership in Scotland will bring some clear thinking to the increasingly crazy situation and that it will be listened to.

Carolyn Walker

Edinburgh

In the present circumstances, when we are midway through a government, the imbroglio over Brexit is worsening by the day, there is open rebellion in the governing party and rumblings about a new Tory leader, things should be looking rosy for any half-decent opposition in the UK. A moderate-led Labour Party would be twenty or more points ahead in the polls right now and looking forward to a Blair-style landslide and preparing for government.

Instead they struggle to keep even level in the polls and, traditionally, as an election nears, doubters tend to return to the governing party. At best, Labour can hope only to survive and that circumstances may propel them into power by the back door. And every indication is, should that happen, their administration, run by off-stage far left activists, would last months, not years.

Meanwhile, in Scotland, the SNP, completely devoid of principle and uncaring of consequence, will try to take advantage of any happening to further the pursuit of their Holy Grail, the break-up of the UK.

Can we rewind the last decade and start again please?

Alexander McKay

Edinburgh

Though Labour politicians are moving closer to backing another Brexit vote, be it on the deal or even remaining in the EU, Nicola Sturgeon offers them negligible tangible support.

Despite Ms Sturgeon's pro-European rhetoric, independence above all else seemingly dictates her every move. Were indyref2 ever held and she won by a small margin, she's unlikely to agree to indyref3 or any variant of it, once it became clear independence would be economically catastrophic for us.

The last thing Ms Sturgeon wants is a precedent to hinder her teenage independence dreams.

Martin Redfern

Edinburgh

CHEQUERED PAST OF OUR OWN FLAG

Your story on PoliceScotland's list of prohibited flags (News, September 23) raised some interest. The current saltire is connected to conflict and tension, the inspiration being the cloud formed St Andrew's cross the Pict army allegedly saw above the battlefields of Athlestaneford in 832. Today it is the civic symbol and also grasped by those pushing for fresh independence referenda.

Flags are not merely innocent fluttering fabric, as police lists attest. They are cementers of nationalism and carriers often purveyors of power and hate. Nationalism is oft formed by what 'we are not' as opposed to defining positively 'what we are.' The saltire, with its links to wars with English Angles, fits that construct.

Of course the blue and white saltire was not always our flag. A black and white, green and white, and red and white saltire have all been committed to cloth before our extant national symbol.

Flags can of course change. If we were to change, I would like to see purple in our saltire. Not only a salute to women suffragettes' campaign for democracy, but also a symbol of our heathered landscape and thistle. What better positive affirmation of the county than the glorious landscapes we are blessed to be born and/or live amidst. That is something we can all rally around, Jock Tamson's bairns and most welcome 'inabootcomers.'

Neil McLennan

Aberdeenshire

One more step towards the loss of free speech and expression. Our dystopian future awaits us if we allow these types of initiatives to gain traction. It reminds me of an old saying ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me’.

We have to accept that people have varied and often radical views which may run counter to our own beliefs and position. However, shutting down expression and rights to it brings greater threats in the longer term. Dialogue, education and a degree of tolerance will achieve far more than this draconian and I’ll thought out plan.

You would think that Police Scotland had more to worry about than the waving of offensive flags. The flags are an outward expression of thoughts and beliefs, proscribing the display of potentially offensive flags does nothing the address the underlying statement.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Government should focus their efforts on addressing real crime, offences that pose a real and present threat to the population’s safety and security and give up on this ridiculous and futile venture.

Name Name

Address Address

ISLAND-HOPPING FERRIES

Last Sunday you ran an item on our ferry services and that they should perhaps use the Norwegian style island hopping method. Our current services do on the whole follow that style with possible only exception of the Lochranza-Claonaig crossing which is summer only.

If this was improved and promoted more it could do away with the Ardrossan-Campbeltown service which affects the Ardrossan-Brodick service in summer, its busiest time. The Loch Pooltiel Glendale-Lochmaddy crossing is a non starter as the road infrastructure wouldn`t support it and would also involve considerable expenditure on a jetty, terminal etc and duplicate the Uig terminal which would still require to operate.

Money would be better spent on trying to narrow down the differing models/styles of ferries and berthings which could possibly make the practicality of building a spare vessel more feasible. At the end of the day however the lack of planning and investment is the main problem

George Dale

Beith

WHAT NEXT?

Highly articulate article about jack's supermarket Vicky (Voices, September 23).

Brings desperate virtue signalling to a new level. Getting really fed up with journalists looking for offence in vegetables!

If the shop was called Goebbels and flew skull and crossbones pirate flags at least people can afford to buy healthy cheap fruit and veg. Goodness knows Scots could do with that!

You'll be finding offence in passing clouds next! Mz Offence.