SNP values

Jim Fairlie (Letters, 2 July) usefully clarifies the past relationship between the SNP and the Constitutional Convention, which is often mis-stated.

I deeply regret that Mr Fairlie left the SNP on the question of what constitutes independence. Inside the SNP he was a significant leader with much support and could contribute to the formation of policies.

Doubts about whether an independent Scotland ought to be a member of the European Union are reasonable, but there seems to be no evidence that member states, including ones smaller than or of similar size to Scotland, such as Lithuania and Denmark, feel that their identity is threatened by being within the EU.

Clearly these are sovereign independent states which voluntarily pool some of their sovereignty. Scotland at present is neither sovereign nor independent and it seems to me that the SNP is the only body arguing effectively for such status.

DAVID STEVENSON

Blacket Place

Edinburgh