Republican Yes supporters should bite their lips for the greater good

If somebody asks you what kind of constitution an independent Scotland would have, the answer is that it would continue to be a monarchy under the present Queen or her successor. This is the only honest answer and it also avoids frightening away some people who might otherwise be prepared to consider supporting our cause.

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May I remind you that we have to change the minds of many thousands of people who at present are either neutral on Scottish independence or somewhat opposed to it? I doubt if a single one of those people would be persuaded to change their mind by the prospect of getting a republic; but a substantial number would be put off by it.

Finally, to strive for one huge constitutional change – independence – is admirably ambitious and not unrealistic: to go for two at the same time – independence AND a republic – is insane. To the republicans – and I am one – I would say, come back after we achieve independence and let’s see then whether we can sell our case to the people of Scotland. Till then – for the greater good, bite your lip.

Douglas Graham
Hamilton

I SHARE many of the emotions expressed so articulately by others who contribute to these pages. Anger and disbelief at Westminster nastiness demeaning and belittling Scotland, constantly attacking the concept of Scotland as a nation, undermining our culture and ridiculing our politicians.

What is seriously worrying, though, is that this abuse is becoming normalised, permeating every strand of the British state mouthpiece. We know this is a tried and tested control strategy used by abusers from domestic violence to fascism, but without a concerted effort to counter it we will be left feeling, and looking, completely helpless.

We urgently need a leader to bring the politics and all strands of the movement together. We have so much collective talent so let’s not waste it.

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Politicians, please stop urging, asking, slamming, explaining, clarifying, apologising and wasting time on stupid questions from Unionist politicians and media. Please get tougher so people like me can stop writing letters like this. The hotspots on currency, pensions and borders need clear answers.

We must have these answers and put them out there with all the other myth-busting information from the fantastic Scotland the Brief book produced by Gordon McIntyre-Kemp’s Business for Scotland. Maybe The National could help by presenting positive headlines rather than the latest Tory horror story. That is a suggestion not a criticism. I understand why you do that, but for me it’s beginning to add to the frustration and the perception that the Tories are all powerful and untouchable ... maybe I’m not alone there.

Noirin Blackie
Haddington

ANDY Anderson (Letters, June 8) calls on SNP President Michael Russell to admit the party’s election strategy was wrong. While I might well agree with Andy, that battle is over. It has been fought and won, or lost, depending on your point of view.

The SNP and the Greens have been given another mandate for a referendum. We all now need to move on and find a way to turn that mandate into an actual vote. That referendum vote, and the campaign that will hopefully come before it, will need to be well financed and no doubt we will all be asked to donate money to fund it.

READ MORE: Michael Russell should admit that the SNP’s election strategy was wrong

Mr Russell freely admitted that the SNP has several “internal issues to address”. He tells us that, referring to their Referendum Appeal Fund which has apparently been woven into their accounts, there is “absolutely no missing money” and claims that “constant leaking and malicious misrepresentation of party activity and decisions has made openness difficult.”

This would clearly imply that there is a cunning plan to – at some point in the future, maybe the day after Boris grants us a Section 30 (don’t laugh) – withdraw this money from its very secret hiding place or disentangle it from the party’s accounts and utilise it in some devious way. A scheme so novel and so secret that the ordinary independence supporters (not just SNP members) who contributed their hard-earned cash towards it are not to be informed of just yet.

There is always a balance to be had between secrecy and openness but when the party’s audit committee members and national treasurer are excluded from details of this cunning plan, can you blame the fund’s many contributors for getting a wee bit concerned at the situation and a wee bit reluctant to make any more donations?

Glenda Burns
Glasgow

JUST watching Hancock wriggling under questioning. Accused of incompetence and lies, he denied everything. He did, however, give an insight into the stark choices the government had to take.

Mistakes were obviously made. It took them a while before they got their act reasonably together. Instead of saving lives they’d rather focus on turning this incredible unparalleled challenge as a means to make money for their cronies and friends. They didn’t fail in this regard.

This is why we urgently need to distance ourselves from this morally corrupt government. Their ideology and priorities are so out of touch. In total contrast to what we want to happen in Scotland. We need away!

Robin MacLean
Fort Augustus