PEOPLE dedicated to achieving independence for Scotland should be aware that the holding of a referendum at too early a stage could result in the same political chaos as the Brexit shambles.

There is little doubt that there would be a similar barrage of lies, well circulated by the London media, and the result would create a large number of disappointed and disgruntled people. More importantly, as with Brexit, most people would not have any source of detailed information about what the decision would involve.

No independent commission has ever been established to determine the proper division of assets, liabilities, duties and obligations between England and Scotland nor, indeed, the exact constitutional position of Scotland with reference to the original Act of Union. For example, despite the name, the Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom, not an English possession any more than the civil service or the armed forces.

Over recent years, what should have been a serious discussion has been reduced to a sequence of conflicting statements by economists of various cults, each pronouncement being delivered with the assured confidence so often associated with party loyalty or mendacity. Confusion has been compounded by the naive belief that information provided by the Treasury or other parts of Whitehall must be completely reliable.

What should be established before any referendum is an internationally convened body, preferably under a Scandinavian or perhaps Australian chairman, with full legal powers to examine the detailed connections between Scotland and England, with full recognition that the relationship

pre-dated the inclusion of other parts of what is now the UK.

The creation of such a body would certainly be strongly resisted but, despite any possible shortcomings, would offer the best chance of dispelling some myths and establishing some important facts relevant to Scottish independence.

Peter M Dryburgh
Edinburgh

TALKS between Tory and Labour leaders will continue over the Brexit impasse over the parliamentary recess, you bet they will (Talks to continue in bid to end Brexit deadlock, April 15).

Both parties have such massive internal divisions on Brexit that the Westminster duopoly system is on the verge of collapse; neither the Tory nor the Labour leadership can take the risk of allowing the public to express its opinion in a confirmatory vote, a General Election or the European Parliamentary election and they must reach agreement before the English local elections on May 2.

The two parties will arrange a deal to ensure their futures – the Westminster parliamentary system will be saved no matter the cost.

John Jamieson
South Queensferry, West Lothian

ROB Brown’s article in the Sunday National (If you dream of an independent socialist Scotland, staying in the EU is not the best idea, April 14) is an excellent summary of the problems if not of the answers.

I support the the proposition of a socialist solution to many of Scotland’s problems eg land, health and welfare etc but when someone starts talking about “pan-continental socialism” I find it a turn-off.

Europe’s great strength is in its diversity, its cultural and political differences. I don’t know what kind of social policies will suit Finland, or Greece or Italy and I don’t want a centralised bureaucracy or democracy dictating what each country must do.

The EU has created a successful free trade area and single market.

It has created high standards of social and environmental regulation, but Europe does not need a centralised super state whether it is socialist, neo-liberal or just bureaucratic.

The curse of Europe for centuries has been its empires that sought to create a pan-European state; all they ever achieved was to create wars. We have that under control. Let us not bring it back as an empire of Europe.

Europe has many problems: climate change, social inequality, Brexit, 500 million people in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa who wish to emigrate to Europe. These problems will not go away if Scotland with the rest of the UK turns its back and runs awayfrom responsibility. Because of these problems and because of Europe’s faltering democracy we must seek to be part of Europe.

When I joined the SNP more than 50 years ago the main aim of the party was independence, with our sovereignty qualified by such international agreements that we might enter into to further international trade and peace That was and still is a nationalist dream that is worth fighting for.

George Leslie
North Glassock, Fenwick

I SEE in your pages and elsewhere the scant use of “Sexit”, a word trying to describe Scotland’s escape from the UK whilst imitating the ubiquitous “Brexit”.

It won’t do. It won’t gain traction. Scotland deserves better. Scotland deserves its own Scottish approach.

I give you “Scoot”.

No need to thank me.

John Daly
Houston

MY thanks to Thom Muir (Website comments, April 12), who informed readers in his letter that “England is the second most densely populated country in the EU”.

From this statement, I have come to the conclusion that England has the densest population in the UK – obvious, really, given the way they voted in the EU referendum and the consequent utter burach in the House of Commons.

Keith Scammell
Inveness