ONE of the most important things we must do when discussing the politics of Scotland in relation to the UK is to frame our arguments correctly. Yesterday’s front page (Whisky sales drop after Tory tax hike, The National) is a case in point. From reading that headline one would draw the reasonable conclusion that the problem in this instance is the Tories. From there we can surmise that the solution is to remove the Tories from the equation. That’s quite true, but presented as such one might possibly say that the answer is to replace the Tories with Labour under Jeremy Corbyn. Of course that might work, but it would rely on the goodwill of London Labour and would only be a short-term fix until another Tory government rolls along, which it inevitably will.

So the real problem isn’t that the Tories have control of raising these taxes, it’s that the UK Government does, and that whatever taxes they impose on this particularly Scottish industry are completely outwith the control of Holyrood and entirely under the control of London. The headline “Whisky sales drop after UK Government tax hike” leaves you in no doubt where the problem lies and what the solution is. So long as we present problems with open-ended solutions we’ll tie ourselves in knots. When we present concrete solutions we will win those arguments, and when we win the majority of people over to those arguments we’ll win independence.

James Cassidy, Edinburgh

THE SNP party conference has come and gone, and, from what I can see, most people are reasonably satisfied with the event and the performance of the range of speakers taking part. We have had some very welcome announcements of things to come. Some are, of course, seriously disappointed that there has not been a more specific date set for the next vote on Scottish independence.

I hope however that all who may feel disgruntled or let down by what they see as a lack of progress in this and other matters will bear in mind that we are all on the same side and treat each other’s point of view with respect and tolerance. Regarding the independence referendum: when it does come it has to be a combined effort of all the independence supporting organisations around the country and not just an SNP event. The Scottish Government has the vital role to play regarding date and timing, plus of course the very real necessity of formulating things like currency, a Scottish central bank and so on. A lot of behind-the-scenes planning and co-operation will be needed in the forthcoming months to get this right. Right it will have to be too: we won’t get another shot at it. For all of that we can have a fair idea of the time scale which is available to us.

There is however another equally important item which requires immediate attention. This is solely down to the SNP Government, and it is the need to formulate a policy statement which lists their achievements over the last ten years. The list of things from which the Scottish voter benefits compared to the voters in the rest of Britain is quite something. It ranges from removal of bridge tolls, to banning fracking, alleviation of the bedroom tax, free prescriptions, baby boxes, saving parts of our steel and manufacturing industries – the list can go on and on.

It is vital that this is gotten ready NOW, so that it can be rolled out to every voter in the land when the next UK General Election comes round. We must not ever be caught off balance as we were last time. We must be able to get this message across to every voter young and old, and shout it loud and clear at every opportunity.

George M Mitchell, Sheriffmuir, Dunblane