Will political leaders heed the advice of the Queen to stay '˜calm and collected'?

Many dismiss Nicola Sturgeon’s frantic dash to Brussels, interspersed with impassioned anti-Westminster rhetoric and threats of yet another referendum, as pointless, that it was inevitable she would be rebuffed.

But time is short for Ms Sturgeon – so none of her current activity is without point. She has her eye firmly on the few hundred thousand more votes she needs for independence. And the EU is pivotal to her success. Does she sense her best opportunity since September 2014?

A third of Yes voters oppose the EU as well as the UK – but it’s likely they’ll put their anti-European prejudice aside and back separation. But what of No voters, the majority of whom backed Remain? Many feel outraged at the 23 June vote and so Ms Sturgeon’s efforts in Brussels soften their customary disregard for her – though for how long will this continue?

At the moment, almost every card is in the nationalist leader’s favour. She must act quickly to capitalise on No voters sense of loss over Europe.

Ms Sturgeon absolutely can’t afford to follow the Queen’s advice to be calm. She must move decisively to conceal that it’s in fact independence which will usher in years of costly political and economic isolation.

Followed, yes, by EU membership but on much less favourable terms than enjoyed by the UK.

Martin Redfern

Royal Circus , Edinburgh

At last some enlightened words after ten frantic and often shameful days, when UK politicians have left us, the bemused electorate, shaking our heads in disbelief.

At the opening of the Scottish parliament, Her Majesty urged political leaders to make “room for quiet thinking and contemplation”. I hope they take note of her wise counsel.

Fiona Campbell

Stobo, Peebles

The Queen in her speech to the Scottish Parliament called for calm and collected quiet thinking and contemplation among political leaders.

Scotland’s First Minister said this was a new beginning for all Scotland’s people to play our part in a stronger Europe.

In former times this could have been construed as ‘lèse majesté’.

Ronald Rankin

Coates House, Dalkeith