ONCE again in The National we have long letters raging against the SNP for insisting that we go through the legal route towards independence acceptable not only to the UK but also a broad range of international organisations and institutions. This time from Alan Crocket and (of course) Julia Pannell (Letters, October 13).

Ms Pannell stresses that she is not a “Unionist plant” or a “fifth columnist” and we should take her at her word on that. Nevertheless, as Mark Breingan points out, the danger is that these comments are seized upon and magnified by a largely unsympathetic media as evidence of splits in our movement. As such, the reality is the comments and the authors are much more useful to our opponents than to ourselves.

READ MORE: SNP must ensure we have strong negotiating position on indyref2

Ms Pannell also reminds us that several decades ago Margaret Thatcher said the election of a majority of SNP MPs was a mandate for independence. Mr Crocket reminds us it is the sovereign right of the people to choose their method of government. In the General Election in 2015 the SNP won 56 seats with votes from 37% of the electorate. That is not a democratic majority.

Consider this future scenario. We have voted to become an independent country, but by an extraordinary combination of circumstances the Conservative party, who have never accepted the decision, win a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament. They announce they have a democratic mandate to petition for a return to the UK. An unlikely situation admittedly, but I wonder what the reactions of those among us demanding a form of UDI would be if it came about?

Douglas Turner
Edinburgh

IT defies comprehension that there is no Plan B. No good general goes into battle without one. History is strewn with failed and/or bloody battles because of no Plan B, so the failed Plan A is blindly carried on with.

The SNP go on about asking for a Section 30 order, getting “permission” to have a referendum and that having one is the “gold standard”. Where do they get that from? I’ve never heard it elsewhere, except out of the mouth of the SNP leadership. The British state has NEVER given up control anywhere without a massive struggle, so why should it do so now, especially as it slips towards an extreme right-wing leadership that dreams of Empire?

READ MORE: Westminster has no intention of giving us another referendum

Quite a few of us not in the SNP (and I suspect quite a few in it) ask if it is not now time for change in leadership? Striving for independence is about energy and taking risks. This present leadership feels gray and lacklustre. It like we are being “led” by bureaucrats, not “warriors” fighting for independence! There is plenty of good talent in the SNP to take over leadership, with more energy and fighting spirit and far closer to the people on the ground!

And I must remind Nicola and co: the indy movement is not just about you and not just about the SNP. 2014 became a people’s movement, with politicians trying to keep up. Afterwards it was taken away from the people to be “led” again by politicians. The people thence being told what to do but never having influence or being privy to what is discussed and decided in the ivory tower of Bute House, like waiting for the answer from Douglas Adams’s “deep thought”!

Crìsdean Mac Fhearghais
Dùn Eideann

RECENTLY I’ve been reading some independence supporters’ letters and columns suggesting that perhaps Nicola Sturgeon is being too cautious or legal and safe about an indyref2. That what is required is more forcefulness in some way or other, because Westminster will never give any agreement to her.

At the moment this is an apparent fact, but what could alter it is the force of future circumstances. What they may be is anybody’s guess.

I have also been reading some writings of the die-hard Unionists, especially the Unionist cabal (we all know who they are). I detect a growing frantic paranoia in them with regard to a successful Yes vote in indyref2. I get the impression that they are pleased at any suggestion from indy supporters of a change of direction from Nicola Sturgeon (now why would that be?).

READ MORE: The First Minister should be demanding repeal of Section 30

We must consider the positive stage we are now at. I remember in 2014 Alex Salmond led a 15,000-strong demonstration in Edinburgh. Earlier this month we had 200,000, and that was without the presence of Nicola Sturgeon.

Nicola Sturgeon is the general in our struggle, but not the dictator. She has around her analysts and advisers who know how essential it is that you do not make an incorrect move that will create a setback to the aim of independence.

Mass demonstrations and their influence are difficult to estimate. One thing is certain – the indy ones are not intimidatory as Unionists claim.

My personal opinion is that the next positive stage for our movement is the General Election, which will give further evidence that our right to self-determination is gaining ground.

Bobby Brennan
Glasgow

WHY do Angus MacNeil, Chris McEleny and Alex Neil think that the Westminster government would be willing to take part in independence negotiations if they’re unwilling to agree to a referendum?

What bargaining power do they think we have? Withhold taxes? Not so simple, as it relies on employers and pension providers to do it. Civil disobedience? Manning the barricades? UDI? That’s really not our style.

We need a peaceful parting in which we can negotiate a whole raft of issues: the removal of nuclear missiles and subs; restoring our North Sea boundary to its original line; the “national” grid; what sort of land border we have, to name but a few. This needs calm and thoughtful negotiation. Fortunately we have our own legal and educational systems, and NHS Scotland is separate from that in England and Wales.

Nicola Sturgeon’s route has to be our best option. It allows us to demonstrate to the world that our people have voted, without coercion, for Scotland to be independent. Whatever the size of the majority, be it 51% or 75%, Westminster has to accept it.

Catriona Grigg
Embo