A DECADE after the independence referendum, one wonders how many people would have voted differently if they had known what the future actually held in store for them by sustaining the UK status quo?

One suspects that given the overwhelmingly hostile UK mainstream media at the time, plus general fear of the unknown, many were reluctant to vote for independence and therefore effectively abstained, or in some cases deliberately spoiled their voting papers. This group represented around 15% of the electorate, and if not much more than half of this group had been persuaded to vote Yes then the referendum would have delivered a positive result.

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The fact that polls since have consistently shown support for independence at around 50% or greater indicates that many (perhaps even including some No voters) would indeed have voted differently if they had known Scotland would have been subjected to a “Hard Brexit” (in spite of strongly voting to remain in the EU), that austerity would have continued for a decade (and now appears set to continue for another decade), that energy prices in energy-rich Scotland would continue to spiral (along with the prices of basic foods and mortgages), all while genuine refugees arriving in the UK would be treated abominably by a UK Government that would not only look away while tens of thousands of women and children were slaughtered but militarily support the fanatical regime engaging in such a genocidal act.

Wes Streeting was clear in stating that for Labour-run Wales, “all roads lead back to Westminster” (even in devolved matters such as the NHS) and in spite of the pathetically desperate attempts of Sir Keir’s puppet in Scotland to deceive the electorate otherwise (whenever he deigns to appear before selected reporters), the people of Scotland know the truth of Streeting’s assessment.

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It’s no wonder that the UK Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties are not only intent on preventing independence but are scurrilously intent on thwarting democracy itself, as even their own polling indicates that self-determination is what the people of Scotland truly desire.

Only Italy is deemed an older country than Scotland in Europe, and the fire of independence in the people of Scotland will not be extinguished by political shysters or media distorters feeding from the trough of the wealthy British establishment.

Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian

SO, the Westminster cesspit is back up and running. That will make no difference to me or the thousands of pensioners who are going to struggle with the cold this winter. I am sure the House will be heated to a constant temperature that will keep them all warm. Oh goody goody.

While the old and vulnerable up here in the coldest part of the UK are feeling the cold, isn’t it nice to know the MPs and all their hangers-on will be as snug as a bug in a rug?

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The other bugbear is that the crowd of charlatans in the changed Labour Party will never have to worry about losing any vote whatsoever as they have a very large majority, some of which was gifted to them by a combination of factors in Scotland.

If the FM’s speech on Sunday was his best shot then I really fear for this wonderful country. What are we going to do? It is just more talk as usual with no substance. I at least thought Stephen Flynn would have geed us up, but he just seemed to toe the party line. No wonder we are all feeling down in the dumps.

I read The National with relish every day but I have to say that the last thing I want to hear is the likes of Alyn Smith and Tommy Sheppard whining on about this and that. They were two of the reasons we did so badly in the election.

To put it bluntly, we are in an almighty mess and need to sort it out. And quickly.

Old John
Ayrshire

I WAS having a chat with a friend recently about the current energy scenario, pensioners’ fuel allowance, renewable energy being transferred to England, high standing charges to name a few topics covered. He said to me, “Is it not strange that the only country in the UK which doesn’t want independence is England?” It got me thinking, why doesn’t England want to go it alone? It could be argued that England got independence from the EU, but why does England not want to go it alone in a UK context? Maybe a question our politicians should ask repeatedly when being challenged about Scottish independence!

Maureen Potter
East Kilbride

IT is interesting to hear that the long-awaited SNP rebuttal service is up and running ... well, almost. Two articles in 2023, but nothing made public in 2024 despite a UK General Election taking place (SNP give new update on ‘research and rebuttal’ unit, Sep 4).

To be honest I’ve heard about the promised rebuttal service since about 2014 and have yet to believe that it exists any more than the Nigerian prince who wants me to send him some money so he can send me some gold back!

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Is it any coincidence that the SNP press team have been posted missing in (in)action for some time now? It seems even leading SNP politicians are struggling to get their point across in interviews. I’m not sure when the decline happened but it does seem to have gotten considerably worse since Murray Foote entered the party – first as head of comms and then chief exec.

Then again, who had the bright idea of bringing in the guy responsible – more than most – for us losing the 2014 referendum? Maybe in reviewing the party’s failure in the UK General Election we should be looking at all posts and not just the politicians?

Alex Beckett
Paisley