IT’S another fine mess that the Tory party has got us into, starting with Cameron’s vanity project, the EU referendum.

Having preened and purred himself into believing he had saved the UK Union, Cameron believed he could save the

UK’s membership within the EU with a referendum to (finally) slap down his fellow Tories who were anti-EU. Had he not paid attention to Tory party history? Afterall, John Major, (remember him? ) had also politically “died” on the EU sword. A fine mess indeed.

May’s UK Government finds itself losing yet another MP, Stephen Phillips, following Zac Goldsmith’s example, though over a different “principle”. It would appear the UK is now rushing into a perfect political storm of indecision, racked up by a lack of political vision, division and infighting within the Government, and as ever, a lack of clear, effective opposition from Labour.

And that is even before we take notice of the rise in racism and the continued use of language that seems to indicate that all our ills, economic, educations, social, will be will be cured when we “take control borders of our borders”.

For me, this is compounded by the howling reaction to the High Court judgment that has thrown May’s Government into further disarray. History (again) tells us that countries should be very wary when their independent judiciary systems are threatened, more especially when derogatory and mendacious remarks come from their own government.

Think Europe in the first and part of the last century and the rise of right-wing extremism! Whoever we are, we should be able to have confidence in the independence of the judiciary and their ability to interpret and apply the law, and not decry them when they do so.

Where now for Scotland in all of this? Home rule and federalism are some form of myth and halfway house and nothing more than further political grandstanding by Unionists. We have come too far to be fooled into trying to revive lost causes.

I don’t believe independence is lost because Alex Neil revealed his voting choice. I rather respect and agree with some of his reasons, especially the treatment meted out to Greece. But my choice was different and now I continue to explore discussion between myself and leavers since every leaver here will be voting in the future, in our #indeyrefnew.

I need to find common ground that will lead to independence, and not find myself in some dead-end dialogue that separates us. I hope fervently then that there is scope within the SNP for debate, discussion and differences, since they have the dilemma of both governing and focusing on independence.

I don’t believe that independence is lost because of the fine mess the UK is now experiencing. Far from it. We need strong representation that crosses between Holyrood and Westminster at all political levels.

But more so, I don’t believe that the momentum for and subsequent gaining of independence lies exclusively with politicians and their parties. It is far too important for that. There will be focus on Brexit, Westminster, Europe, wondering about sweetheart deals with big business, but we cannot allow the spotlight on independence to be lost in all of this.

I look forward then to revitalised grass roots movements such as WFI, CommonWeal, YES, land reform debaters, #JusticeMatters groups, all seeking common ground, producing stronger arguments and nuanced debates that will convince doubters, Don’t Knows and Nos.

That’s where success lies for independence.

Selma Rahman, Edinburgh


IN her usual excellent weekly piece last Thursday, Lesley Riddoch sadly falls into the same trap that many of the 100 per cent “renewable only” proponents fall into (Is Westminster deliberately sabotaging our renewables industry?, The National, November 3). She states that wind, wave or tidal spare capacity could be used to top-up pump-storage reservoirs or large batteries, which in turn would help out when there was low generation from wind.

The idea of pump storage was first mooted because there was excessive capacity overnight which could not be turned on or off easily, namely large thermal stations using coal, oil and nuclear. It was therefore proposed that these stations would be able to top-up the hydro dams and large batteries, then use this pump storage and “huge” batteries to replace loss of generation capacity from aero generators when the wind is zero or near zero.

Now we all know that every so often and even in winter we get a high-pressure area encompassing the whole of the UK and in winter it’s often referred to as “A Norway High”. The clue is in the name, when high pressure extends out of Central Europe over Norway and extending to cover us. This usually brings a period of fine, calm and very, very cold days and has been known to last for over a week.

Under these conditions this is where Lesley’s idea fails. With a flat calm covering the UK and very low temperatures, power demand will be very, very high and power availability very, very low. Step in pump storage and batteries, but this where the ship hits the rocks. Uphill pump storage reservoirs and batteries will run out, as any temporary storage does, and with no spare capacity to recharge them we will be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.

Put simply, the lights will go out and rota power cuts will become the norm.

Charles Gallagher, Sullom, Shetland


WHEN people came out into Turkey’s streets to defend democracy against the attempted coup, this received prominent media coverage, but the systematic destruction of democracy by an increasingly authoritarian Turkish state has been relegated to the margins. In the night of November 3-4, 11 Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MPs were detained by the police, including the party’s co-chairs. The HDP is the third biggest party in Turkey and provided a democratic and peaceful voice for Kurds, secularists, leftists, LGBT and all persecuted minorities.

This comes on top of the purge of thousands of people from the civil service and academia and the closing of opposition media. Anyone at all critical of the Government risks arrest on charges of “terrorism” – at the same time as alternatives to actual armed resistance are deliberately closed down. Meanwhile Turkish troops are playing an increasingly dangerous role in Syria and Iraq, where the main focus of their attacks is the Kurds, and Turkish leaders hark back to Ottoman imperialism.

Turkey restricts its citizens’ use of social media. It also uses its power as a Nato member and as a refugee gatekeeper to control the agenda outwith its borders. But we need to know what is happening at this crucial junction between Europe and the Middle East.

Sarah Glynn, Broughty Ferry


IN an otherwise excellent review of Rennie McOwan’s book on Cunninghame Graham (The National, November 5), writer Martin Hannan may have led those who are not au fait with the story of CG’s colourful life to believe he was buried in Argentina.

His body in fact was brought home to Scotland and he was interred on the island of Inchholme beside his beloved wife.

The article posed the question of how we should remember this remarkable man. It may be that the first thing we could do is care for his grave.

A visit to the island and grave some time ago revealed a sorry sight, a sinking gravestone covered with lichen and moss which made it difficult to discern the inscription. The island is in the care of Historic Scotland and according to what I was told the grave is still a destination for Argentinians who come to pay their respects.

I realise that Historic Scotland do not like to “spruce up” historical artefacts, but in this instance surely a little care could be exercised.

Jim Gibson, Selkirk


YOUR news feature ‘Enemies of the people’ (The National, November 5) left the hairs on the back of my head standing ever so slightly. The Westminster government must arguably be engaged in the worst example of state attempts to intimidate the judiciary since Henry VIII. In the England of the last decade or so of Henry’s reign people could literally be lifted off the street if they displeased the ruling elites in the slightest. Not only this, but Henry VIII issued orders in 1545, as ever without question, to torch Edinburgh and murder all its inhabitants, with particular efforts against women and children who had no potential to be enforced conscripts in Henry’s armies. Mrs May perhaps pursues less brutal and tyrannical methods of threatening and intimidating the Scottish people, but they are a grievous threat to our liberties none the less and must be opposed by every means possible.

Alan Clayton, Strachur, Argyll


Letters I: Never mind indyref2, what about an EUref2?