Letter: The thorny question of independence

As I understand it, the SNP's independence agenda is that voters in Scotland should be given the right to decide in a constitutional referendum whether they wish to restore Scotland's national sovereignty or remain a region of the UK.

If Labour honestly believes that attacking this agenda will scare voters off voting SNP, then they are obviously in a poorer state than most political commentators are claiming.

This election is about which party is best equipped to run Scotland during these very difficult economic times.

If Labour really believes that the issue of a referendum on independence is more important than the creation of jobs and maintaining services, then we can look for them to sink further in the opinion polls.

JIM CARSON

Larchfield

Balerno, Midlothian

When David Murray and the Scottish Sun, owned by Tory-supporting Rupert Murdoch, both declare publicly their support for Alex Salmond and the SNP while both making it clear that they do not support the establishment of an independent Scottish state which is the major - if not sole - aim of the SNP, then we are entitled to know why before 5 May.

Do they believe that the creation of an independent Scottish state is not going to happen in the foreseeable future?

Given that independence is the raison d'etre for the SNP, why do they think that?

Have they been given assurances by the SNP leadership that they will not be pressing for independence in the next five years in return for their support, despite what they say in their manifesto?

If that is the case then Mr Salmond should tell both us and, more importantly, his own supporters before the election.

JOHN MAXTON

Larch Grove

Hamilton

Your leader (25 April) points out the glaringly obvious: Labour have mentioned the most unpopular of the nationalist policies - breaking up Britain - even less than the SNP. It seems that the Labour have been so reluctant to mention the "I" word.

Some years ago Labour ran a most successful ''Divorce is Expensive'' campaign that simply reminded voters of the consequences of voting for a party dedicated to breaking up the UK and withdrawing Scotland from Nato. The SNP hated it as it told the truth. This should be resurrected while there is still time.

ALEXANDER McKAY

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh

Iain Gray recognises that "the Greens are right about so much", but not about whether there should be a referendum on Scotland's relationship with the UK, depending on the outcome of the Scottish election.

But the question of a referendum is not about independence - it is about democracy; about letting the people of Scotland have the ultimate say. If they say "No" to independence, as Iain Gray would clearly wish, then that puts it to bed for the foreseeable future.

Leave the question unasked and it is forever the elephant in the parliamentary chamber.

That, doubtless, is why the Liberal Democrats appear much more relaxed about a referendum now as well; and indeed why Labour, under Wendy Alexander, briefly came down on the side of democracy as well.

GAVIN CORBETT

Briarbank Terrace

Edinburgh

May 5 could be the day that all the major political parties in Scotland come to terms with the relentless march of Scotland to a very different constitutional future and redefine their attitude on this issue. It is entirely possible to be a socialist, a Tory, a Liberal or a supporter of the Labour Party and, at the same time, a nationalist.

DAVID McEWAN HILL

Tom Nan Ragh

Dalinlongart, Argyll