WE have become used to the idea of musical tribute acts in our pubs and clubs but it seems that it is now an idea which is also catching on in the political arena. Our Prime Minister seems to be very adept in this art form as he, almost seamlessly, mimics his counterpart in America.

A narcissist with a need to cling to power, he has surrounded himself with like-minded acolytes and advisers. His almost-daily policy announcements aimed at his right-wing, nationalistic power base and his double talk and obfuscation on major issues are a mirror image of his friend and, it seems, greatest admirer.

As the two oldest and admired democracies in the world suffer a political breakdown, and we await the outcome of the Brexit conundrum, be it a deal, no deal, referendum or a General Election, we Scots must hold our noses and come together in a wide ranging, non-political national debate when the dust eventually settles. The case for citizens assemblies is now overwhelming.

Boris Johnson and Donald Trump are fond of telling us that "everything should be on the table” when negotiating.

Uniquely, in this case, they are correct.

Hugh Phillips, Bothwell.

IN light of the verdict from the Court of Session, my daughter, resident in Germany, reminded me of the following quote from a renowned European thinker and writer: “It is to Scotland that we must look for our idea of civilisation.” – Voltaire.

Rev John M A Thomson,

Hamilton.

ROBERT Scott is wrong when he claims a small majority of Scottish voters chose to remain in the EU (Letters, September 11). Every constituency in Scotland voted to remain with twice as many voters choosing to remain. Since then the SNP has obtained an electoral mandate for a second independence referendum backed by the majority in our Scottish Parliament.

It is hypocritical for Labour to seek a second EU referendum (it is still confused as to which side it is on), yet deny Scotland a second independence referendum when we already have a democratic mandate.

Mr Scott’s comparison with Yorkshire is fatuous. Unlike Yorkshire, Scotland is a nation that was independent for more than 700 years, retaining many of its own distinctive institutions and is supposed to be an equal partner in the so-called United Kingdom.

The Tories have not won a national election in Scotland for more than 60 years and we have had enough of Westminster telling us what Scotland can and can’t do. It’s time we had the chance to choose a different future.

Mary Thomas, Edinburgh EH11.

WHETHER or not Yorkshire has a similar number of voters to Scotland is beside the point. To the best of my knowledge, Yorkshire has never entered into a Treaty of Union with England and is therefore an English region. Scotland, in contrast, has (perhaps unfortunately) entered into a union with England, and, however much Mr Scott might wish it away, Scotland is a nation. I dearly love Yorkshire (and have done for more than 30 years), but it is emphatically not a nation.

Ian M. Baillie, Alexandria.

AS a daily reader of the Letters Pages I am constantly aware of the number of letters concerning the SNP regarding what it has or has not achieved and opinions on its future plans and policies.

I think that some of the writers might consider the UK mess that we are now in and contribute their very interesting and informative views on the immediate crisis instead of bashing the SNP.

I have voted for the SNP for several years and voted for independence, but am not now sure that I made the correct decision.

I shall vote for the SNP in the next election, but only for independence if the economic facts stand up to scrutiny and I doubt that they will.

So please could we have more letters discussing the current crisis and sort out an Indyref2 some time later. There will be plenty of time.

Malcolm Rankin, Seamill.