I AGREE with David McEwan Hill in his claim that we can never accurately assess when we are going to win in the next independence effort (Letters, April 11).

We have a couple of clear examples of the goal posts being shifted when victory seemed to be close: in 1979, with the belated insertion of the 40 per cent rule; and in 2014 when the polls tipped 50 per cent we had the full onslaught of the Unionist media, including the infamous Vow.

I agree with the view that the campaign itself will lift the percentage levels, as it did in 2014 by 11-12 per cent.

Last night there was an interesting discussion at the Crossways Literary Festival, “Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement”. Lesley Riddoch, who has often expressed her support for the small Nordic countries, made the observation that there is a range of relationships with Europe among them according to their individual needs and preferences. She suggests that perhaps we should consider some of those within our next independence bid. For example, Iceland is not part of the Common Fisheries Policy to protect her fishing rights. Perhaps this is something we might consider if it was shown that it would offer a better deal for our valuable fishing industry.

The city of Edinburgh voted No in the independence referendum and 70 per cent Yes to remain in Europe. If we had a Norway-style EFTA deal, would that offer some protection for our financial services?

We need to be prepared, as many groups have begun to do. Westminster is not offering many clues to our situation a year hence. The currency and banking issues must be thoroughly explored so that we don’t get into a tangle next time round.

For me at the moment the most critical aspect of the independence campaign is to maintain our unity and maximise it. So if this means broadening our stance to encompass those who are opposed to Europe then let’s do it.

Maggie Chetty
Glasgow

IF Scotland waits until after the UK has left the EU to hold indyref2, what would stop Westminster from dissolving the Scottish Parliament? What power would defend the rights of ordinary people against the rampant pro-corporate agenda? Would we even have a free internet?

Personally, I believe if we wait we’re dead and buried. Private police forces, privatised health care. Zero-hours contracts will seem like the good old days. The only people with rights will be those who can afford to pay for them.

We are now on the brink of war with Russia, and if we go down that road then all is lost regardless. They’ll take all our rights for the sake of “national security”. Free speech will be lost, and say bye-bye to a free internet.

Mark Harper
Dysart

WHILE Jim Sillars and Pete Wishart want us to postpone indyref till we have 60 per cent of the population behind us and this may be a good idea, why are we letting Unionist polls set this figure? We all know that their questions are designed to elicit a No response.

Indycar’s Gordon Ross suggested having our own poll with a fair question and a big sample number, and I for one think this a good idea.

Kathleen Byron
Edinburgh

IT is interesting that the currency debate for an independent Scotland has reignited. In the run-up to the 2014 independence referendum, I was surprised that no mention was made in the debate about the Scottish currency before the Treaty of Union. The currency in Scotland prior to sterling was in fact the pound Scots. This was valued at slightly less than sterling, perhaps giving rise to the “we don’t take Scottish” scenario we’ve all encountered in parts of England! The pound, therefore, has been around a long time in Scotland and certainly before the Union. And as we all know, the Bank of England was founded by a Scot!

WJ Graham
East Kilbride

MORE still needs to be done to combat the mainstream media. There are fantastic journalist writing articles for the indy cause every day, and every day we are sharing them to the same people, possibly converting a few but not enough. Not everyone is on social media and we need to make sure that by the time the next referendum is called, anyone who has even the slightest chance of voting Yes is getting news beyond what they read in the Daily Mail or watch on the BBC.

Maybe just now, during the lull, the Yes movement should be coming together to put a leaflet through every door in Scotland. With no mention of independence or SNP, just something like: “Had enough of the lies and propaganda in the media? Get the facts they are keeping from you”, with logos for The National, Bella Caledonia, IndyCar, Wings, Business for Scotland, Common Weal etc.

Carolann Draycott
Dumbarton

KIRSTEEN Paterson's article in Tuesday’s National, “May urged to halt mother’s deportation”, ends with this paragraph: “The Home Office said Rudd will respond to MacGregor ‘in due course’. It does not routinely comment on individual cases and says ‘clear rules’ exist for British citizens seeking to bring spouses from countries outwith the European Economic Area.”

That’s fine, but it seems there are certain rules for some and others for the rest of us. No disrespect meant, but what about Prince Harry and Meghan? Isn’t Prince Harry a British citizen? Surely Meghan comes from outside the EEA and I bet she won’t have a job paying more than £16,000 a year. As part of the royal family she will be subsidised by the rest of us from day one.

Personally I say good luck to them both, but others should be treated with the same sort of consideration as they have been.

Charlie Kerr
Glenrothes