ANOTHER timely article from Lesley Riddoch (Every crisis proves small works best ... once this is over we must think indy, April 24) because I fear that some of us do need reminded that the First Minister will “indeed have to revise plans for independence”.

But as the FM keeps reminding us, it will be a “new normal” we experience as we head towards independence, post-lockdown. And there’s that other small matter, Brexit. So where, when and how does the notion of “new normal” fit into our updated pro-indy narrative?

Yes,we know we require a greener environment, less pollution, no turtles drowning in our plastic refuse. If the stories are true of the surge in rewilding here and abroad – such as a grey wolf sighted near the French coast, the first since they were thought to have been hunted to extinction in the 1930s – that’s part of what we need: evidence of a rebalancing in nature, and a rebalancing between us and nature for the better of all. But at what cost? Deaths, the economy, a huge debt for at leat two future generations?

We cannot afford to kill off nature to rebuild the economy nor can we ignore the urgent need of people in lockdown, their future ability to earn, spend and feed themselves and their families. Where are those narratives, the discussions around our future: economic growth and the physical and mental wellbeing of our peoples? And where are the much-needed challenges to the UK Government and it’s current failures? The two are surely mutually beneficial to the indy case.

Whilst the UK Government muddled along with the PM away in Chequers, recovering but still not doing weekends, we had Dominic Raab constantly telling us “we are governed by the science”. Really? When were scientists elected to govern? In turn, even I know there are various sciences and varying views and recommendations within those individual science disciplines, so which science? Which scientists, and who extrapolated actions from recommendations? And does he and his Cabinet cronies think we’re too wee and too stupid to spot the double speak?

I had hoped that after the Sunday Times and it’s damning articles articulating failures there would be a rush of journalists with hard, probing questions at the daily Westminster briefings. It’s not often, if ever, that you’ll hear me applaud Piers Morgan (no, I didn’t watch live, but caught up on the specific interviews on social media) as he tore into hapless Cabinet officials. But perhaps we now know who was heading up decision making with the current revelations confirming the hand of Don Cummings and at least one buddy in Sage activity.

This must reinforce the belief that in the short to mid term future Scotland needs involvement from all sectors in envisioning our future via assemblies and advisory groups, interconnected and connected to Holyrood. Such informed pre-planning coming from Scotland and our people is vital.

The FM says almost daily that we will examine failures and incorrect decisions at the appropriate time. But we can rest assured that the Westminster and pro-Union press will be ready to heap failure on our government whilst promoting their view on our so-called weaknesses in Scotland.

With Pete Wishart’s expose (Tories ‘block’ key groups of Scottish MPs holding scrutiny role, April 24) and the typical Tory tactics of blocking scrutiny, it is left to the grassroots Yes movement to get facts and arguments together, and out there. Because let’s face it, there isn’t sufficient pro-independence media to do that job.

Which brings me full circle to Lesley Riddoch. Her simple opinion poll demonstrated the need to broaden the discussion. So along with responding to the FM’s adult conversation paper helping to fashion our way out of this crisis, there is so much fertile ground for us in the grassroots indy movement.

We have to be prepared and not return to the “old normal” of agenda setting by Westminster with their parody of our nation and our people as too wee, poor and stupid. We have to use this time in lockdown to realign our indy agenda.

Selma Rahman
Edinburgh

DAVID Pratt’s article about the Swedish response to coronavirus (Tacking Covid-19 the Swedish way, April 26) made me think about the social implications of controlling the pandemic. Treating people in a grown-up way is admirable and what we should be doing. But what if they’re behaving like spoilt children, as the pictures of massive crowds of protestors (some heavily armed) against the lockdown in the USA, and people queuing for ice-cream in Sussex, suggest?

There has been an infantilisation of the population in some countries. The demand for instant gratification sets off temper tantrums if wishes are thwarted. I am contrasting this behaviour with the self-sufficiency of some of our rural communities who are used to turning onto their own resources.

The USA and UK are led by men well known for their lack of self-control. It is the mark of an extreme individualism fostered amongst the far right. We should have nothing to do with it in Scotland.

Cathie Lloyd
Edinburgh