There is much to be considered when it comes to the future

I have been giving thought to new circumstances which could come into being and how it may affect the self-determination struggle.

Reading opinions that Johnson/Cummings will never grant a Section 30 order if a request is made. That is correct if their choice is unchallenged. Force is what will change their refusal.

New circumstances arising after the pandemic may well be a large factor in our fight for indyref2. At this time in our history a great change has happened, and who would have foreseen that a deadly virus was the cause of it?

The two main elements of the change following this pandemic are a recession, aggravated further by a disastrous Brexit.

In the English context, when they come to the realisation of their mistake in electing the Johnson Government and the hardships about to be visited on all classes and strata of their communities and society, apart from the rich and super-wealthy, we can watch the reaction it will then generate.

As to our struggle here, what are some of the forces that we have available? The daily National, which is essential. Various organisations who have the skills and experience of organising mass demos. Local independence groups conducting events in their respective communities. Organisations capable of exposing the falsehoods, lies and distortions of the British nationalists and Unionists. Other options are legal actions and possible civil disobedience without violence. One unknown is what effect the Scottish Government’s competent handling of the pandemic will have on those 2014 No voters. Will it make them come to Yes? Finally, a crucial force will be an SNP majority elected in 2021, with increased representation of Greens alongside MSPs who are in agreement with a second vote.

To paraphrase a character in Sean O’Casey’s play Juno and the Paycock, in which the action takes place during Ireland’s independence struggle, “Scotland’s in a terrible state of chassis”.

At this moment of our struggle, quite naturally all manner of opinion and viewpoints arise, much of it valid and reasonable. It is the negative ones I take issue with. Regardless of differences, we have a point of unity which is a belief in self-determination, and we should be constantly aware of it. When we express opinions we should carefully consider whether it helps or hinders our common aim.

Bobby Brennan

Glasgow

WHEN will Angus MacNeil and Chris McEleny understand that we have had at least three mandates to start negotiations to leave

the UK.

Time and again we have asked for this meaningless Section 30 order and been refused. Independence parties have won every election here in Scotland for years and we can win the next few as well and it will make one jot of difference to the ruling party in London.

Even if, what they say “winning a pro-independence majority”, totally incompetent Bojo and his cronies will not grant us an audience on leaving the UK. Plan B, C, D or E wont get off the starting line if Wasteminster keeps saying no. What then? Here’s a suggestion.

Declaration of Arbroath 1320 declares our independence from then to now. Claim of Rights for Scotland declares the sovereignty of Scotland. Repeal the Treaty of the Union 1707 as is our right as a sovereign nation under the Treaty if the people of Scotland are not satisfied with aforesaid Union. Let them come and start negotiations!

Ken McCartney

Hawick

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with JG McQuarrie’s views on the abuse of the English language which permeates the media. There are two categories of English (and regrettably some Scottish) voters.

One of these comprises collaborators, accomplices, paid-up donors and cancers on the body politic, whose misuse of language has been manipulated to insult the intelligence of the other category, most of whom are decent people but not very perceptive and, sadly, most of whom do not realise that their intelligence has not only been insulted but has been cynically weaponised to suit the malevolent ends of the manipulators.

At the bottom of this cesspool may be found the touchstone of this amoral gang of thugs who have polluted politics for a decade, “filthy lucre”. Johnson is not a buffoon. He’s a thug who asked a friend to arrange to have a journalist beaten up. Rees-Mogg is not an eccentric from the Mad Hatter’s tea party.

As JG McQuarrie says, he is vile. It is now time for the euphemisms to be flushed away. The truth will out.

Joe Cowan

Balmedie

I AM afraid I must strongly disagree with the strictures of JG McQuarrie on referring to “Boris” etc. I regard such usage as indicating contempt, not friendliness or admiration. Over my long life, I have made many friends around the world, in many cases due to some position they held.

While in current correspondence and when we meet I feel honoured that they use my first name, and frequently sign themselves by their first names, I still show respect to them by using their title, whether it be a prestigious one or simply Mr or Mrs.

I have also heard of many elderly folk in hospital who object to being called by their first name, regarding it as over-familiar and rather disrespectful.

For me, to use only a surname shows lack of respect and to use the first name of someone in a position deserving of respect shows contempt. But perhaps JG McQuarrie and I are of a different generation.

P Davidson

Falkirk