Letter: London calling

Could the outcome of the Inverclyde by-election on 30 June signal how Scottish people feel about a referendum (or two) on independence?

The challenge for the SNP here is enormous, not simply because it needs a near 20 per cent swing to take the seat. It needs to show it can be taken seriously on the Westminster stage just as much as its huge majority ought to command respect at Holyrood.

Much of the current furore over the constitution is based on the coalition feeling that the SNP, with only six seats, has no mandate to speak for the Scottish people in the House of Commons. A victory in Inverclyde would certainly cause Prime Minister David Cameron's cabinet really to take them seriously.

A near miss will not do, as that will be put down to the usual vagaries of by-elections. It is victory by however close a margin that will allow the voice ofFirst Minister Alex Salmond to echo throughout Whitehall. The SNP must show the public that it is still serious about winning seats to Westminster. Its case for a binding referendum on home rule would be difficult to challenge there if it held the balance of power, along with the Welsh Nationalists, with, say, 35 seats.

The case for home rule in Ireland in the 19th century was enhanced by a similar situation.

But all this will mean that Mr Salmond must have some of his more high-profile colleagues in that chamber. It is all a question of organisation and priorities.

Unless nationalists can substantially increase their presence in London, much of the posturing on independence and referendums may well be in vain.

Bob Taylor

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife