Ahead of himself

Published on 06/02/2013 00:00

Is it not quite extraordinary in terms of timing that the SNP has launched a paper on a possible “Independence Day” in March 2016 in the event of a Yes vote?

As yet the electorate, which I am not entirely sure has been defined yet, is unaware of the ­actual date of the referendum despite the length of time since the SNP government was ­elected.

The lack of clarification from the SNP on such subjects as defence, the European Union, the currency, banking and financial services regulation, Scotland’s share of the national debt, border controls, revenue collection and many other influences on the independence vote is mind boggling.

The “substantive” white paper (as the First Minister describes it) on independence is not even due to be published until later this year! Are the polls, reflecting a substantial majority No vote, driving the First Minister to put the cart before the horse?

Richard Allison

Braehead Loan

Edinburgh

In his usual scaremongering mode, Alistair Darling told the BBC that it was impossible to negotiate the terms of independence within a year although the correct projected timescale is nearer 18 months.

However, it seems that the Czech and Slovak politicians and civil servants are much more 
capable than Mr Darling’s 
Westminster government 
allies, as they began negotiations in June 1992, passed their 
Constitution Act on 25 November, and agreed to the dissolution of Czechoslovakia as of 31 December, 1992.

More interestingly, in the event of a Yes vote in 2014, is there any point in electing 59 redundant Scottish MPs in 2015?

Calum Stewart

Montague Street

Edinburgh

There is something politically vacuous when Scottish Government ministers want to rub shoulders with stars of the 
successful Danish television show Borgen (your report, 5 
February).

Having watched this well done series, I felt the spin, not substance, of Denmark’s ­politics comes across.

Recently, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told us a separate Scottish MI5 would be needed in an independent 
Scotland.

Indeed so, but will its creation be as well done as the setting 
up of Scotland’s single police force?

We have seen chairman of the new agency and the Chief Constable of the combined force at odds over who does what with lawyers making a bean-feast 
resolving issues which ought to have been resolved in the
devolved Holyrood parliament.

Jim Craigen

Downie Grove

Edinburgh

Karen Burchill’s letter (4 February) makes the inarguable point that, in the event of a No vote in the independence referendum, Scotland will be an embarrassment internationally as the only country in recorded history to have had the chance of independence and rejecting it in favour of dependency.

She might have added that the words of Flower of Scotland would be changed to “We can still rise now, and be a region again.”

David Garvie

Gylemuir Road

Edinburgh