THERE are two letters in Monday’s “The National Conversation” that present opposing attitudes to gaining independence. However, between them, they highlight the problems we face over the method of making independence for Scotland a reality.

W D Mill Irving of Kilbirnie states that: “When Scotland regains its full sovereignty it will then start to use its available powers, showing naysayers what this country is really capable of.” But that’s putting the cart before the horse. If ever we are to get independence, we must persuade the “naysayers” that Scotland can stand on its own feet and become a successful small nation before any referendum. If they are not persuaded beforehand, they will be like the couple in the letter from Glenda Burns of Glasgow who are “far from convinced of the economic case for independence and won’t be voting for it any time soon.”

I can understand the need for this since my son-in-law falls into the second category. He is still convinced that Scotland only survives financially because it is heavily subsidised by England. He cannot accept that there are almost 200 independent countries in this world – yet, regardless of their size, they still manage financially.

Since 2014, for one excuse after another, the SNP have done little or nothing to advance the cause. Quite honestly, the Tories have brought up the subject of Scottish independence more often than the SNP. But what we really need from them are facts and figures that state categorically that this is how much money we need to run Scotland (£X billion), and this is what is paid to Westminster by Scotland in taxes (£Y billion). Therefore, we have a shortfall of £Y-X billion or surplus of £X-Y billion. To survive we need to put taxes up by this amount, or we don’t need to put up taxes because we have enough.

In other words, we need someone to transpose the GERS figures from being applicable to Scotland as part of the UK into being applicable to an independent Scotland. Having done that, we then need to find some way of getting that out.

SNP leaders and prominent members have stated that independence is not down to individuals or particular political parties. It’s down to the people of Scotland. Is it not about time they showed their commitment to this belief by demonstrating their support for those people working hard on the streets to bring independence about?

I think we need to see a start now to an indy2 campaign backed up by the indy-supporting political parties. After all Alex Salmond signed the agreement with David Cameron in 2012, but it was 2014 before the referendum went ahead.

To get the referendum in 2023 as proposed by Nicola, she needs to start now. They reckon Covid will no longer be circulating here after August. So could we see preparations for public talks fronted by the likes of Ian Blackford, John Swinney or any one of the 63 other SNP MSPs?

We need them to meet the people and be clear about the questions that defeated the last independence attempt. They must be clear on the economy, on pensions, and they must be absolutely clear about dropping sterling as soon as possible and using our own currency – and what it will be.

I am told a written Constitution has already been drawn up. Could that not be made public too? And we need to know the cost of defence for our new country. What about taxes? Could they not scrap most taxes and just have one land tax based on the value of the property people own? I am told such a tax would generate a larger amount of money for the Government with the burden shifted from the poor onto the wealthy. Finally, they might like to suggest that a fresh EU referendum will be put before the people after independence.

A fair bit of work is still needed – and it has to be done soon.

Charlie Kerr

Glenrothes