Letter: Referendum day

On the face of it the impending royal nuptials on 29 April have given a fillip to the case for shifting the date of the referendum on the alternative vote.

It is easy to exaggerate, though, the impact publicity about it will have on the outcome and turnout of the various polls the following week (your report, 24 November).

There is still a strong case for shifting the alternative vote away from those for the devolved legislatures and local elections south of the Border, but that relates to the problem of having a poll on a UK matter alongside important ones for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland as separate entities. The issue should never become embroiled with the joy of a royal celebration.

A parallel of sorts can be drawn with the case of the Scottish Parliament referendum in September 1997. The death of Princess Diana 12 days before the vote meant not just that campaigning had to be suspended for seven days. Something close to a constitutional crisis meant that the media were almost totally absorbed by the Royal Family and its machinations. Yet the turnout on polling day was still close to a respectable 65 per cent.

The electorate may be briefly distracted but it is wrong, indeed patronising, to assume this may prevent them making an intelligent choice with their votes.

Bob Taylor

Shiel Court

Glenrothes

I am not a royalist but I welcome the announcement of an additional day's holiday next year, although I do not expect many workers will be dancing in the streets to celebrate royal nuptials.

It will be interesting to see the response of those myopic business interests who opposed my bill to have an additional holiday for St Andrew's Day on the spurious grounds that it would be bad for the economy. Will the CBI and the bankers be planning street parties for 29 April next year, while telling the workers to get to their desks on Tuesday of next week? Surely our patron saint deserves better recognition and the people of Scotland deserve more opportunity to celebrate our national identity, our cultural diversity and our membership of the international community.

St Andrew's Day celebrations would also create many business opportunities, especially in hospitality, entertainment and tourism. That would be good for the economy and for the national morale in these difficult times.

Dennis Canavan

Sauchieburn

Bannockburn