IT’S a bit rich for Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh to tell the SNP government what to do where an independence referendum is concerned. She accused the SNP government of having “abandoned the referendum strategy that helped create the modern independence movement” without letting the public know what that is. I, for one, would like to know, being a relative newbie to the cause.
However, she has based her strategy for winning Scotland’s independence on two Alba conference attendances. The first, after the Supreme Court decision on Scotland’s referendum capabilities, where “hundreds” attended, and the second more recently, where only 300 had registered to attend.
READ MORE: Alba hire lawyers to probe alternatives to SNP's de facto vote
I suppose that could be indicative of the first conference numbers, being more than 200 thus plural. A lot different to the several thousand members boasted a few years ago when Alba was formed.
Ahmed-Sheikh also had the temerity to suggest that if Alex Salmond had not done a runner after the 2014 referendum and was still leader of the SNP, Scotland would have been independent by now. That beggars belief.
She suggests dissolving the Scottish Parliament and going for a new vote based simply on independence. At this moment in time, if such a pathway was implemented it would highly risk the SNP losing an even bigger majority than the last time, risking a coalition government.
That would put paid to any chance ever again for Scotland becoming independent. A Westminster national election used as a de facto referendum for Scotland may not be popular for some of Scotland’s Yessers and certainly there are mebby a few others routes available.
The Claim of Right using Nato as the referee is perhaps a significant outlet and one I would like to be explored further. Time is running short if whatever independence route is going to be used will perhaps be used within the next 12 months, rather than waiting for Westminster.
Alan Magnus-Bennett
Fife
WHILE Frank Wood (Letters, Jan 11), like most genuine independence supporters, presumably would like to see all pro-independence parties constructively working together, he makes the statement that “Alba are now increasingly attacked by the SNP, the Greens and the Unionists”.
My MP is Kenny MacAskill, who was elected to represent those who support the SNP in East Lothian but nearly every week in The Scotsman (through his regular column) denigrates the SNP and/or our First Minister. Constructive criticism is right and proper, even from someone who selfishly decided to change his party allegiance rather than declaring as an “independent MP” (or more honourably resigning and standing in a by-election) without any apparent respect for those who voted him into the Westminster parliament.
Grouping the SNP and the Greens with “the Unionists” is not helpful, and if there is any truth in his opinion that Alba is now being increasingly attacked by the SNP and the Greens, then perhaps Mr Wood should have a word with Mr MacAskill about putting personal gripes behind him and moving on to more “collaborative” contributions that could provide added inspiration to the whole independence movement.
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
THESE were the words of Kevin McKenna in Wednesday’s edition of The National: “Under the current leadership, the SNP is a cruel, malevolent and misogynistic place which harbours several activists who routinely issue violent threats against women. It’s the most unpleasant political party in the UK” (There’s been Liddle bit of over-reaction to Spectator man’s Scottishness horror, Jan 11).
Anyone would think that the above was written by some extreme right-wing Unionist such as Nigel Farage or Douglas Ross. But no, the words were produced by someone who purports to support Scottish independence. In fact, his opinion suggests that the last 13 years of a Tory shambles has been better than a government that ensures its people have free prescriptions, bus travel, tuition fees etc.
READ MORE: The Spectator silent on Rod Liddle 'anti-Scottish' DNA discovery story
His support of Rod Liddle’s dreadful comments about the Scots gives even more clarity into the mindset of Mr McKenna.
If ever the Unionists needed a quotation from the so-called “other side” then he has given them the best belated Christmas gift they could have hoped for.
So, the ONLY party that has any chance of bringing about our independence has been described by him as “the most unpleasant party in the UK”.
One has to ask which camp Mr McKenna is actually in when it comes to Scotland’s freedom. Keep a look out for his words being repeated regularly in the Unionist press over the next few years.
A D L Forbes
Farr, Inverness-shire
SPARE me. “Jock Tamson” by name and nature, I shall not be helping to make a certain book a best-seller. In a nation of equals with respect for all, please let us leave monarchy bowing to those so inclined.
Iain R Thomson
Strathglass
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
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 about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 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. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel