WE know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions. What should we do with our second vote in 2021? What happens if Westminster says no to indyref2?

Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues. They try to derail the conversation, register under fake names and post vile abuse. We’ve had hundreds of emails from you complaining about this, asking us to take steps to ensure that these people aren’t given a platform on our site.

We’re listening to you, and here’s how we plan to make that happen.

We have decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 12,000 paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.

The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them.

The change will be implemented by tomorrow morning (Tuesday, March 30) so make sure you've got a subscription to The National.

To sign up for as little as £2 for the first two months, CLICK HERE. 

We’ll be monitoring this change over the first few weeks, and we’re keen to know your thoughts. Email us at letters@thenational.scot if you want to have your say.

Callum Baird, Editor of The National