SNP here to stay

I WAS surprised by John McTernan’s article (Perspective, 7 March) in which he postulated the collapse of the SNP after a No vote in September. I am no psephologist, but he seemed to be indulging in a huge dose of wishful thinking, or was that spin?

The SNP dominates Holyrood because its policies chime with the majority of Scots, it puts Scotland first (unlike the Westminster parties), and it has its best politicians in Holyrood, not Westminster. None of this will change after a No vote in September, which is a vote for the status quo, and that includes an SNP majority in Holyrood.

The only way to restore a democratic balance in Holyrood is to vote Yes. In an independent Scotland, the Westminster parties would become Scottish parties and would be able to compete on a level playing field with the SNP. They would no longer have to pander to the voters in London and the south-east of England.

Andrew Collins

Skinners Steps

Cupar, Fife

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So, John McTernan is busy counting his chickens, fantasising about life after a potential No vote, when “the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour” get “the chance to return to politics as normal”. 

That would be the politics of the unionist parties closing ranks against all the pro-independence parties and pressure groups, which will (in McTernan’s dream) conveniently disperse.

The politics of Scotland would be once more in the grip of an entrenched Labour Party, with Scottish Labour politicians sullenly obeying increasingly right-wing orders from Westminster while awaiting a chance – every fourth UK election or so – for a London-based career of their own.

Sorry, John. The genie is out of the bottle, the stable door unbolted. Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be and there’s no going back now.

MARY McCABE

Circus Drive

Glasgow