The SNP question no-one is asking

THERE is much discussion at the moment regarding whether there should be one or more questions in the proposed referendum. But there is a question no-one is asking: “What happens to the SNP if and when we gain independence?”

As we already have left, centre and right wing parties who will no doubt continue to exist after independence, where does the SNP sit in relation to them? For a start I would have thought they will have to change their name because the word “Nationalist” will cease to be applicable. The original aim of the SNP was to gain independence – if they do, does that mean they will disband and their MSPs go their separate ways and join a party nearest to their political aspirations? If they continue as they are, perhaps it would require an election, because how can you have the SNP running the country when in theory they wouldn’t have a mandate as their primary goal would have been achieved.

Several months ago I had a chance meeting with Roseanna Cunningham in a Perth pub and I posed the same questions to her. She said they would continue as they are and would sit somewhere to the left of Labour.

I wonder if Mr Salmond secretly would now prefer Devolution-Max, he certainly seems quite keen on having a second question. Could it be that he may think that a substantial portion of his support could be independence based, and once this has been achieved the voters may return to their traditional leanings because he will be a member of just another party.

Ronnie McGuire, Crieff