CHRIS McEleny’s article on Trident removal is passionate but at the expense of reason (SNP and Labour may compromise on ditching Trident – Alba will never, Jul 15). The immediate removal of WMD cannot be done (I couldn’t flit that quickly). Far better would be to use the base as a lever to expedite the secession negotiations by stating that the clock is running from day one of negotiations, not from day one of indy.

READ MORE: Former SNP MP calls on John Swinney to scrap Trident commitment

Also to have the bases on our sovereign soil, running down, during the first year(s) of independence would guarantee that Westminster would not misbehave in other matters of trade, freedom of movement or other activities designed to wreck the fledgling nation-state.

Finally, well-researched and logical arguments will stand on their own merits without resorting to “other indy parties are baaaad”, which is counter-productive.

Jim Addison
Findochty