THOUGH the currency issue is important, it hardly “underpins” the independence movement, but, of course, that is the “dialogue” the Unionist-paid activists will want to promote. Let’s remember that civil servants were awarded medals for their “sterling” efforts during the 2014 campaign. I’m sure they are already active, adding their subtle and not-so-subtle poison to the narrative of discord.

Looking beyond the gloomy fog of an externally imposed narrative of “whatever you choose, it will be the wrong choice”, we trip over the fact that it will never be a single “this is forever” decision. If our Scottish Government isn’t keeping the electorate happy, they won’t be able to hang onto power. Our proportional representation electoral system will move them on.

READ MORE: The National View: This is why we're backing the First Minister's currency plan

What I take from this article is that every option has worked for someone. With such a robust economy, and the will to succeed (who actively plans to fail?) Scotland will maintain and build on its current success, and also evolve. Unlike the dinosaur government at Westminster, which focuses on the aspirations of a wealthy elite and is founded on the concepts of privilege and entitlement, our Scottish Government will focus on the will of the majority.

The SNP have proposed a safe and resilient transition model. And as we disengage from Westminster, the model will change and evolve. Clear of external influence, and acting in the best interests of Scotland, I believe that many of the divisions we hear now will turn out to be discussions on timescales and risk (or risk aversion).

We will have a Scottish currency – everyone agrees on that. When that happens will be down to the “collective confidence” of a nation that has for a long time been told it can’t manage on its own. When that national self-confidence returns, and as a population we are not exposed daily to a negativity bombardment by the Unionist media, the pace of change will happen faster. But none of it can happen without that first step – independence.

Alistair Potter
thenational.scot

THE National’s editorial supporting the First Minister’s view on an early move to Scotland’s own currency once independence is achieved was both timely and well considered.

Of course, whatever is proposed on currency ahead of self-determination will be lambasted by those who would support maintaining this dysfunctional Union at all costs. But disappointingly, it is criticised also by some who seemingly consider first winning the argument based on their personal assessments and proposals regarding currency to be of greater importance than winning the fundamental right of the people of Scotland to determine their own future. It is sad to think that there are some who apparently have only a conditional support of self-determination which undermines faith in their fellow citizens and in future generations to generally make good decisions for our country.

Many of Scotland’s citizens already believe that an independent Scotland can build a more egalitarian, more democratic and more prosperous country irrespective of whether we join the EU, EFTA or the EEA, or whether our early economic decisions are effectively based on the use of a Scottish pound, the pound sterling or the euro.

Perhaps I am naive with regard to the implications of the timing of associated decisions, but if those who profess to support Scotland’s independence cannot find it within themselves to suspend whatever personal crusades they have embarked upon while we work together for the broader objective of achieving independence, then I fear that our children will only ever have the opportunity to share our dreams and not the reality of any of our individual visions for a free and independent Scottish nation.

Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian

THANKS to The National for voicing a reasonable argument. people are far too hung up on the currency issue, and are playing into the hands of the next Better Together project fear.

Mireille Pouget
thenational.scot

THE National’s editorial articulates my view on the currency issue precisely. Some will agree with it, some will disagree with it, which is all part and parcel of a healthy democracy.

But let’s move beyond being a talking shop. Let’s get independence secured so that the differing views about Scotland’s future direction can be aired in a country invigorated by independence, and where the public discourse is no longer dominated by a media set to thwart that ambition.

Thom Muir
thenational.scot