ALAN Crocket claims I made statements that do not hold up in my previous letter (Notion Westminster has the power to prevent indy is false, August 15).

There are two reasons why Westminster holds the power to prevent independence.

First, the English and Scots crafted a treaty of agreement to create the Union. The Act of Union was forced through the Scottish parliament (despite widespread opposition), and then that parliament was disbanded. Legally, the current Scottish Parliament does not have jurisdiction, as this power rests with Westminster.

The second is that by acquiescence, the Scottish people have accepted Westminster’s power, and while there is a sovereign right to secede from the Union, Westminster’s establishment protects its interests through the control of the media that works to preserve English domination and the pillaging of our ample resources. In short, we accept them holding power over us.

Mr Crocket may be correct to say Scots could vote in a democratically elected forum to secede from the Union, but two things apply to render this difficult.

First, given the extensive propaganda instilling fear, Scots are not minded to seek out independence, even despite the blatant lies our new government spouted to get elected.

Second, the SNP have failed to persuade Scots to take such leap into what Unionists would falsely claim is precarious uncertainty. Indeed, the Unionists have put barriers in place like currency, pensions and even the false claim of ineligibility of EU membership (which they forced on us anyway).

The key barrier is we Scots lacking the fervour to dictate the state of play; to demand our fundamental claim of right to nationhood that would enhance our prosperity and quality of life.

Mr Crocket claims no need to foment a constitutional crisis, but the SNP, playing by Westminster’s rules, have no intention of declaring a plebiscite election.

The weakness of the independence movement is that it is being led by a group that uses the notion of independence to persuade people to vote them into power, but that’s all. Doing so retains their big-fish power and privilege in our small pond, party and self-interest before national interest.

It is folly to think that Westminster will ever accede to Scotland being independent, it has just too much to lose. The latest proposed asset-grabbing power line investment a clear example. We will need to force the issue.

Mr Crocket dismisses the Scottish Parliament as being subservient to UK law and therefore impotent. But he’s basing that on the flawed court case about the power to hold a referendum under the terms of the Scotland Act. A plebiscite election would supersede this.

A clear pledge within such plebiscite election on the single issue of taking back our country would fill our parliament with a clear majority of Scots demanding independence. For example, at the polls, they could vote SNP one and Alba two, or the parties could be reshaped for this single election to get the ball rolling and label themselves as Indy1 and Indy2. The pledge would be to take back full political and fiscal powers from day one of the new government. End of.

The Scotland Act would be irrelevant. The Scottish Parliament would take the power to repeal the Act of Union and, yes there would be a constitutional crisis, but it would be of Westminster’s making.

Westminster’s response would be revealing. It could realise its game is up, choose to work towards a just settlement and build the bridges for a mutually beneficial ongoing working relationship, or it could send the tanks in and take occupation by force; a replication of the Irish problem. What would that say about our supposed “partnership” in this UK?

Mr Crocket and I agree on most things. We both want independence with some urgency, and we agree the current SNP are not going to deliver it as things stand. It’s very frustrating.

Like it or not, the SNP are the single-best current entity for the indy movement to put its hopes on. But they lack leadership. The old guard have crafted a cosy jobs-for-them number where it just passes on the diktats of Westminster. Not good enough.

Where is the inspirational leader with the strength of character to bin the old guard and deliver the “Damascene” moment that the indy movement is – and its grassroots should be – clamouring for to pick up the baton and carry it over the winning line?

Jim Taylor

Edinburgh