WHILE I agree with Alex Neil that power over referendums should be in the domain of the Scottish Parliament – as should all powers – I don’t subscribe to his view that a “People’s Vote” over Brexit should or would have any limiting effect on an independence referendum (‘People’s Vote will scupper indyref2’, November 1).

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon warned: 'People's Vote could scupper independence'

The Brexit referendum came about by a specific Act of the Westminster Parliament. We can assume that any additional plebiscite would require the same source. Given that we appear to be exiting the EU on March 29, with each passing week isn’t it becoming more unlikely that it could be properly held prior to the scheduled doomsday?

Can’t the difficulty Britain finds itself in be laid at the door of David Cameron who oversaw the hastily prepared, inadequately crafted referendum that provided no route map going forward in the event the Leavers won, a scenario he stupidly didn’t give credence to as a realistic prospect, blinded as he was to victory finally quelling Tory unrest?

On the other hand there already exists, through Section 20, the means to have a referendum to determine the will of the Scottish people. Scandalously we have to go cap in hand to Westminster to seek one; the key to why we should be independent. Here Alex Neil is right, such decisions should be ours by right, as the nation of Scotland we should be and are. We are being denied because Westminster senses that Scots now feel the time is right, after eight years of vindictive and politically destructive Tory government culminating in Brexit, for Scotland to leave the Union and redress the many wrongs imposed on them by two main parties.

Should a People’s Vote be held, as the most imminent threat to my economic welfare and our future I would be bound to vote for Britain to jettison Brexit. However, I see that having no effect in diluting the political, economic and social imperative for Scots to control their own destiny through their intrinsic right to independence.

The past disgraces are there to see; our future is full of hope these disgraces will be consigned to a history learned, never to be repeated.
Jim Taylor
Edinburgh

I AM at a loss to understand the position of a number of SNP figures on the proposed “People’s Vote”. I would not for one minute suggest we are at anything other than a very confused political situation but any suggestion that we should seek to actually oppose the democratic right of anybody to call for referendum on anything undermines a democratic principle – and our case to call for a new referendum (on independence).

We’ve had a referendum on independence. We want another one. That is our right. We have had a referendum on membership of the EU. You want another one? We will oppose your right.

I am not suggesting that there are not issues for the SNP with another EU referendum. The straightforward SNP position on this contentious issue is however the correct one – despite potentially some not helpful consequences which we will have to deal with as they arise. That’s politics.

I am at a loss to understand the position of some of our “senior” figures. Not for the first time.
David McEwan Hill
Argyll

THE substantial minority of indy supporters who would like to see the disaster of a Brexit in the hope it will more quickly lead to an independent Scotland must be pleased by the intervention of Pete Wishart (Wishart warns SNP backing for a People’s Vote is a bad idea, October 31). Whereas I found it the most negative and depressing article I have ever read in the National. I know he speaks for many but this negative approach will never win us independence.

READ MORE: Pete Wishart: This is why backing a People’s Vote is a bad idea

The fact that he says he wants to see no Brexit but offers no way of stopping it left the abiding conclusion we can do nothing but accept, in the classic words of Private Frazer, “We’re all doomed Capt Mainwaring”. Just as democracy did not stop in 2014 nor in 2016, and as Nicola always said if things change we have to respond, it makes sense to have a referendum on the Brexit final deal now we know so much more. It makes sense to the 125 constituencies that have swung to Remain. It makes sense to 90% of Labour Party members who want a People’s Vote even though their leader does not. It makes sense that 50 million voters and not 650 MPs should decide their future in a more informed ballot. It makes sense to the over 80% of those under 25s who want us to stay in the EU. It is their future and that is the spirit of our campaign in Pensioners4EU to give them the future they want.

First we stop Brexit and remain in the EU. Then we win independence with an exciting, engaging and irresistible vision which we are in the process of creating. Do not waiver Nicola. We support you and your party policy on a People’s Vote.
Tony Martin
East Lothian

AT long last a senior SNP figure is stating what I believe to be the bleedin’ obvious, ie. the SNP should not touch a Brexit referendum re-run with a barge pole. For starters, the term “People’s Vote” grates on me. After all, who voted for Brexit if not “the people”?

Under the constitutional set-up, Scotland’s “Remain” vote is an irrelevance, other than being a handy stick with which to beat Westminster.

Apart from the valid reasons, cited by Pete, to be cautious regarding support for a second Brexit vote, the rank hypocrisy of some of the Unionist politicians calling for a re-run is breathtaking.

I refer specifically to everyone’s favourite dunderpate, Willie Rennie.

He never knowingly defaults on an opportunity to categorically oppose indyref2, but recently had the brass neck to demand SNP support for the new Brexit vote.

I would say to the SNP; stop being so cerebral, boil the issue down to the essence – ie. if Willie and his Unionist chums are for it, we are agin it!
Malcolm Cordell
Dundee