EU vote essential

Published on 07/07/2012 00:00

Alex Orr is right to highlight the hypocrisy of David Cameron and the Tories calling for a Scottish referendum “sooner rather than later”, while postponing an EU referendum to an unknown date with an unknown question (Letters, 5 July).

In fact, it makes great sense to have a fair referendum on leaving the EU first, as it is only after that issue is settled that we will be able to see the implications of Scottish separation.

If the UK votes to leave the EU, then a Scottish separation referendum will effectively be a choice between being part of the UK or part of the EU.

If, on the other hand, the UK were to vote to remain in the EU, then the consequences of Scottish separation would be very different. Indeed, there is also another issue that warrants a referendum – the reform of the House of Lords. On each of these great constitutional issues the political class should trust the people with a fair vote and a fair question on a fixed date.

Otto Inglis

Inveralmond Grove

Edinburgh