Two questions

Published on 28/07/2012 00:00

I think Douglas R Mayer’s complaint (Letters, 18 July) about a part quote relates to my letter of 17 July. It is unclear whether he wishes to cast me as an opponent or a supporter of Alex Salmond. I am neither.

It is a matter of public record that I am not a member of any political party and never have been – though all the major 
parties have invited me to join them.

I have yet to make up my mind about the best constitutional 
future for Scotland. My present concern is only that the referendum should deliver a clear and decisive result that properly 
reflects the wishes of the people of Scotland.

At no point in my letter did I “speculate about the need for three questions”.

The Scottish electors show 
significant support for three 
different constitutional options: the status quo, more devolution and independence.

When there are three such options a clear and decisive result will be obtained only if we are asked two questions.

The two questions may differ, depending on whether they are asked at the same time or in a two-stage referendum. But two questions there must be.

What the electors need is for the proponents of independence, more devolution and no change to spell out as best they can what their favoured option would mean for Scotland from the time the referendum result would take effect.

This is their real challenge and the sooner they get on with it the better it will be for us all.

James Gilmour

East Parkside

Edinburgh