THE people of Scotland have the right to self-determination. The Parliament of Scotland does not currently have the legal authority, as determined by a UK Parliament with a minority Scottish representation, to hold a referendum to allow the people of Scotland to exercise that right.

As long as it is considered to be in the best interests of the people of England, it appears that the people of Scotland cannot change this undemocratic predicament, even if every Scottish MP supports ceding the right of holding a constitutional referendum to the Scottish Parliament, and no matter the size of the majority of MSPs supporting independence at Holyrood.

The Scottish Government does, however, have the legal authority to seek advice from citizens’ assemblies and to facilitate them (as demonstrated through the Citizens’ Assembly of 2019).

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The recommendations of the Scottish Constitutional Convention of 1987, with representatives from Scottish political parties, local authorities, churches and voluntary organisations, led to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. Whether it is referred to as a “citizens’ assembly”, a “constitutional convention” or a “citizens’ convention”, it would appear that, while abiding by appropriate legal advice, the Scottish Government could coordinate this process now with the appointment of a suitable non-political chairperson.

The task of bringing together a group of people broadly representative of views across Scotland may not be straightforward though, especially as some will be more focused on narrow political advantage. Gordon Brown, besides articulating the infamous “Vow” and making pronouncements in support of UK federalism, recently stated that “the Union’s future depends not just on a fair and workable post-Brexit delineation of powers but on rebuilding relationships that are currently broken and renewing our social fabric so that it nurtures them.”

While Conservative politicians may be reluctant to participate in such a convention, especially those still harbouring ambitions at Westminster, Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians would have to betray social democrat principles to attempt to justify non-participation.

It’s now over to the SNP and First Minister John Swinney MSP to promptly set pertinent parameters and get the ball rolling with a view to receiving recommendations on “Creating a Better Scotland” (as proposed by Believe In Scotland) within one year and before official campaigning for the 2026 Scottish election begins.

Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian

AS a medical student 60 years ago, I was with a consultant surgeon during an NHS consultation at the end of which he asked the patient “what is your job?”.

I already knew that was code for money changing hands for “queue-jumping”. He was not concerned that I was still present: there was no shame in initiating the greed transaction. As an NHS consultant surgeon myself 50 years ago, I was aware of (but never participated in) these corrupt practices which involved not only “queue-jumping” but even the provision of an NHS bed.

Recently I was told of a patient being asked, even before the consultation began, “have you health insurance?’’ One may say “plus ça change” but the difference now is the use of the American version, “have you health insurance?” Our NHS is not safe.

Robert Mac Lachlan
Foulden, Berwickshire

TRULY shameful behaviour from Gordon McKee (Scottish Labour MP says ‘contact your MSP’ in copy-and-paste two-child cap email, thenational.scot, Jul 23).

He must know that the two-child cap is a cap on Universal Credit, a UK benefit. The Scottish Government has no power to abolish it. All it can do is use its limited budget to offset it. A budget that is set in large part by Westminster.

I do not know which is worse – that he is content to continue to inflict the policy on children in England where there is no devolved government to mitigate it, or that he is willing to lie to his constituents.

Not so much the broad shoulders of the Union as “you’re on your own, pal”. What is the point of the Union when the Unionists expect devolved governments to make good their petty, spiteful policies?

Alan Thompson
via thenational.scot

GORDON McKee is gaslighting the people of Glasgow. He knows full well that powers over the cap, Universal Credit etc are reserved to the UK Government. Westminster has full powers and unlimited financial resources, Holyrood has neither. If he doesn’t know this, he shouldn’t be an MP.

Dr B Griffiths
via thenational.scot

AFTER listing the reasons why child poverty is a heartbreaking disgrace, Gordon McKee repeats the Labour mantra, that the two-child cap will be only a “key consideration of this government”. A get-out clause if ever I saw one.

Jane Carlton
via thenational.scot