Tam Dalyell states "I believe people should be aware that if the Scottish Parliament now continues in existence, it does mean, sooner rather than later, the dismantling of the British state" (your report, 9 May). If Mr Dalyell is correct, independence is inevitable, for the alternative, the abolition of the Scottish Parliament, is even more certain to lead to independence.
Mr Dalyell and those people who "choked his phone" in support are living in the past, the issue is now a choice between further devolution and independence.
Mr Dalyell also states: "All I ask is people don't sleepwalk into something that actually
they don't want." Independence will only happen after a referendum in which a majority will have voted yes. It is condescending to suggest that people who vote yes for independence in a referendum will not realise they are indeed voting yes for independence in a referendum.
In this respect Mr Dalyell reveals his Labour and British Establishment roots. One of the attractions of independence, for me at least, is the expectation that the electorate will be better regarded by the political establishment.
HAMISH SCOTT
Carlaverock Drive
Tranent, East Lothian Tam Dalyell has a point in saying a referendum must have a question for those who never supported devolution in the first place. Perhaps 25 per cent of the population never wanted it but this section is being airbrushed out of history.
There is also no democratic mandate for a referendum; the only party advocating one was the SNP – who only received a third of the vote (on a 50 per cent turnout ) – not that this seems to matter much in Scotland these days.
WILLIAM BALLANTINE
Dean Road
Bo'ness, West LothianI cannot help but feel that the last people to know the full impact of a hurried referendum vote will be the people of Scotland. Now, with Wendy Alexander calling for the SNP to "bring it on", I fear we will enter a nasty battle of political soundbites that will only obfuscate the real issues. We need a proper debate that addresses the real issues: economic – can we stand on our own feet without Westminster subsidies and massive tax increases; political – will Europe take us seriously and let us join the EU; military – can we afford to defend our borders as we would surely not be able to rely on the English to do so, and so on.
Surely, it is best to see how well we have been served by devolution before launching off down the road to independence.
If the people of Scotland really want independence, let them decide from the standpoint of knowledge not ignorance.
(DR) MARTIN J KNOTT
Moulin Way
Dunfermline, FifeIt seems perfectly legitimate for a politician to change her mind on any subject. However, I find it strange that Wendy Alexander should call for one now.
With her Conservative and Liberal Democrat colleagues, she will soon take part in the Calman Commission to examine whether or not the Scottish Parliament should have additional powers. The terms of reference of the commission do not extend to discussing independence.
The SNP's manifesto includes a commitment to a referendum on independence in 2010. By then, Scottish people will have been able to assess the government's performance and to consider maturely the whole question of whether Scotland should have the opportunity to express her own identity in Europe and the international community.
Decisions, taken in haste, are generally wrong decisions.
JULIAN RUDD
St Leonards Drive
Forres, MorayThe full article contains 593 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
