Politics and power

Shirley Seaton (Letters 19 December) appreciates the politics of the constitutional arrangements in the independence white paper. As she says: “The head of state has, more often than not, a fairly symbolic role.”

Politics is all about power, and “building a modern democracy” is the strategy to bid for power.

To say “sovereignty” or ultimate authority will be in the people is theoretical and empty rhetoric.

Hence the strategy of replacing the Crown in the Westminster Parliament with the Crown in the Scottish Parliament.

Power in reality in a constitutional monarchy is exercised by the government and the Prime Minister.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie