IN his article in Thursday’s paper Fergus Mutch concluded by posing the question “Who’s with me?” (Anti-indy forces and weak analysis behind Yes splits, August 20).
Well, I’m with him 100% on the issues he raises, because any major in-fighting within the SNP would be very damaging to the independence movement and every effort must be made to avoid that.
My worry, Fergus, is the elephant in the room which you never mentioned and which, I suspect, is going to be much more damaging than any of the issues you did mention.
The biggest factor which caused our failure to win the referendum in 2014 was the currency issue and matters associated with that. The SNP got it wrong, badly wrong, last time. So if we are going to use our intelligence we must not make the same mistake again.
Nicola Sturgeon has shown skill and ability in recognising mistakes, acknowledging errors and providing alternatives. Her ability to do that as a politician is part of the reason why she is a world-class politician and is recognised as such by those who judge her objectively.
READ MORE: Fergus Mutch: Anti-independence forces and weak analysis are behind Yes splits
The SNP has started to put the currency issue right by acknowledging that we no longer want to “share in the pound”. So far, so good. They have acknowledged that we must have our own currency and central bank, more progress, but we have left huge ambiguity around the question of the Scottish currency.
Now the very last thing we need going into a referendum is uncertainty and ambiguity about our currency that would be an open goal to the hostile Unionist press. The SNP are clearly in that position because of vested interests fighting a rear-guard action to keep the pound sterling and not having the ability nor the courage to put their case openly.
This is the most damaging split in the SNP. It is not in the Yes movement, where on the whole there is an acceptance that we should move quickly to our own currency. The split is also not in the SNP membership as the last conference to discuss this shows this split is in the SNP leadership and Nicola will need to get a grip on it before it does great damage.
It is easy to put right. The party must reject the Growth Commission nonsense about six tests for our currency and indicate that we will be setting up a central bank and introducing a new Scottish currency when the new institutions are established. In the meantime we will use sterling until our currency can be issued, assuming that sterling survives the coming financial crisis.
Andy Anderson
Saltcoats
WHAT a refreshing and well-informed appeal for unity in the quest for independence from Fergus Mutch. As never before we have the opportunity in our hands with a Westminster Government that is chaotic and contemptuous of Scotland and is taking us out of Europe with no trade alternative.
We must still be patient for all the temptation to satisfy our frustration and seek the optimum time to make our moves. As polls are getting better and better. I agree with Fergus that nearer 60% Yes would enable us to move towards independence with more chance of uniting the nation afterwards.
READ MORE: Fergus Mutch: Small-minded Tories will not succeed in Scotland
He makes an apt comparison with the national football team which I have supported home and abroad for 65 years. That fine journalist, the late Ian Archer, once wrote of the team: “Scotland has an infinite capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.” Lets make sure that divisions in the movement don’t fall into this sad category that we have seen in the beautiful game.
Iain Whyte
North Queensferry
AS one of the ordinary voters that Fergus has personally reassured about party “splits” I can vouch for his knowledge of key SNP issues – and the fact that he is sensibly challenging the idea that we must always have polarisation of views.
Quite rightly he stresses the both/and as opposed to either/or of healthy political debate. In a party that has grown so rapidly there are always going to be differences but in my experience the SNP generally deals with these in an adult way – in stark contrast to the Tories!
The polls show that the general public is also making these comparisons and realising that there is so much an independent Scotland will be able to do to create a fairer, healthier and happier place to live and work. There is no one “perfect” party as humans are not perfect – but in my experience the SNP tries harder than most. Excellent article by Fergus.
Mary Brown
via thenational.scot
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