Letters: Brexit will drive many to backing independence

I feel a deep sense of betrayal and shame that my country, Britain, is likely to exit.

If Brexit happens, whether with or without a deal, I, like many people I know, will be in favour of Scottish independence despite the doubts about access to Europe.

Kenneth Roberts, Lenzie.

WHEN Scottish independence is discussed leading Conservatives seem oblivious to the irony of their party’s similar decision to instigate the UK’s secession from the EU. What would they have done if the EU simply said “Non, nein, nee”? For democrats of all political persuasions alarm bells should be ringing at the sound of the current UK Prime Minister and the two aspiring candidates for her job saying they would deny Scotland the right of self-determination. Their attitude clearly reinforces what we witness daily in Parliament where the opinions of the relatively few Scottish MPs are regularly ridiculed or simply ignored if not singing from the Unionist songbook. It is plain that Westminster views Scotland as a subservient colony and believes Scottish nationalism to pose a threat to the future of England itself.

Scotland has for the greater part of its existence been a sovereign state irrespective of who claimed its crown; the Union with England is a fragment of its history. Current political statements expose the premise of the Union being a “partnership of equals” as a falsehood as were it so, English politicians would have no power to interfere with how Scots wish their country to progress. The reality may be that a majority of Scots may never support independence, so be it, but it should be our decision and ours alone as to when and how often we the Scots have a plebiscite on the subject.

David J Crawford, Glasgow G12.

IN a week when the big issue seems to have been the importance of defending or strengthening "The Union", all I have heard from the likes of Theresa May, Ruth Davidson and Jackson Carlaw has been condemnation of Nicola Sturgeon's alleged obsession with a second independence referendum. At no time has there been any serious attempt to discuss the pros and cons of the case for Scottish independence. It's as if the independence question has been created by, and is owned exclusively by, the current First Minister.

For the avoidance of doubt, let me state that I am also a supporter of the case for Scottish independence and that my reasons have had nothing to do with the SNP or Nicola Sturgeon. The defenders of the so-called United Kingdom have been painted into a corner by the Conbrexitive pantomime and have resorted to the oldest tactic in the book. If you don't want the message to be heard just shoot the messenger.

The pro-Union arguments invariably employ the words separation and referendum but rarely mention independence. I don't wish to be separated from any of my neighbours but each of us operates independently within the boundaries of our own home. Political debate should be about ideas and principles which endure while individual politicians blossom and wither.

Willie Maclean, Milngavie.

I CAN agree with one underlying point that Douglas Mayer (Letters, July 6) seems to be making, namely that it would be good if I no longer felt it necessary to write on the subject of how the Scottish Government is letting us down, with its emphasis on seeking to undermine the UK rather than the public services that we all depend upon. Delivering good government is a tough job, with limited funding and ever-growing expectations on what it should deliver, so my starting point would be to give the benefit of the doubt to whoever is in power. The difficulty comes of course when those holding the reins of power decide to use their position to pull people apart rather than find the common ground where there is so much more we can agree on than not.

It is a shame Mr Mayer feels criticism of the SNP acts to “demean” those who vote for the SNP. As a floating voter I have the privilege of being able to vote for whichever party of the day seems to make the most sense and has leaders that favour wisdom and common sense over dogma. I concede that the choice of late has been a little bit thin on the ground but remain hopeful that the more able and insightful of those who would like to lead us will eventually come to the fore.

Keith Howell, West Linton.

ONE way to succeed at decision-making, including in politics, is to give a proper justification. I have been trying to understand why the SNP acts as it does, so that I can feel if my thoughts about them are right. My conclusions are as follows....

Its leaders act like children stamping their feet if they do not get what they want; they whinge and moan if something is not what they have suggested; they waste public money to try to show they have power; hey promise many things but are unable to explain how can pay for them; they ignore wise counsel, because they do not understand wisdom; they threaten because they have nothing positive to say.

They bore us with IndyRef, because they do not understand co-operation; they promote Gaelic because no-one else in the world uses it; they demand more tax money, but they cannot use properly what they have.

They only have highly-committed nationalists in important positions because they cannot stand dissent or constructive criticism in the ranks; they cannot heal, because they want to damage and destroy; they cannot provide safety in the streets, as fear is a natural by-product of nationalism.

They can't provide good education, as ignorance makes for dependency on others (i.e. the state); they cannot feed the poorest of the nation, as food banks create a feeling of poverty, to be remedied by Mother State; hey don't encourage a world-wide view, as by its nature, nationalism is inward-looking and eventually has no outside friends.

I think I have sufficient justification for my decision to support patriotism, but never nationalism.

They must be removed at the ballot box, and as soon as practical.

Harry Monroe, Lenzie.