Letter: Referendum U-turn will cost Salmond

IN A remarkable about-turn Alex Salmond has broken his promise of a referendum on independence for Scotland (your report, 6 September) and this will disappoint and enrage many stalwart SNP supporters.

It would appear that the glory of running a minority government and the trappings that go with it are more of a priority than what the SNP is meant to be all about, putting independence well down on the priority list.

This may well be the final straw that will break the camel's back and cost Alex Salmond the next election.

Dennis Grattan

Mugiemoss Road

Aberdeen

Alex Salmond's "U-turn" is practical when considering the arithmetic of Holyrood, but is undoubtedly a setback on this long, bumpy road to independence.

Trying to steal Labour voters by offering a utopian socialism is obviously failing to strike a chord.

The unrealistic promises of protecting public services in the face of Westminster cuts just make the SNP indistinguishable from the equally unimpressive Iain Grey collective.

What Scotland desperately needs is an alternative autonomous Scottish political party that preaches a vision of a slimmed down, dynamic, independent Scotland, open for business and free of the "socialist Scottish cringe".

Dramatically reduced public spending, a benefits culture overhaul and sensible investment of oil revenues into Scottish businesses are the policies that would make Scottish independence a viable vote winner.

David Flett

Cooperage Quay

Stirling

IT MUST be obvious to even the most starry-eyed, optimistic Scottish nationalist that the referendum they crave is not going to happen.

It is unlikely to happen in any foreseeable future session. The numbers do not add up and there is a large and permanent majority not in favour of any move towards the break-up of the UK.

On the positive side for the SNP, there are many ways the millions saved by the abandonmentof this minority madness could be utilised in Scotland.

Alexander McKay

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh

Proposals by the government to abandon plans to put the referendum bill before the Scottish Parliament, and instead appeal directly to the electorate to back the need for a vote on independence at next year's election, are sensible. It seems a waste of parliamentary time to put forward a bill that will be blocked by the Unionist parties, and instead make independence the central theme of the election campaign.

What also must be made clear is the hypocrisy of the Unionist parties, with the Tories and Lib Dems wanting a referendum on an AV voting system that no-one supports on Scottish polling day, and the Labour Party, Tories and Lib Dems all pursuing a referendum next spring on more powers for Wales, while denying a referendum for Scotland.A newly re-elected SNP government will be in a powerful position to secure passage of the referendum, having successfully mobilised the people over the heads of the Unionist parties.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh