Senior SNP figures must not play into the hands of Unionists

I ask the questions. What would suit the Unionists best? Answer – a civil war in the SNP. Who is likely to give the Unionists what they want? Answer – some members of the SNP (and, I am sure, some enemies urging them on).

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Oh how our enemy must be rubbing its hands in glee as very divisive comment could continue to give the anti-Scottish media the opportunity to keep the fall-out from the Alex Salmond trial in the news. I will judge senior figures in this party on how they get onto the job we have given them of promoting independence, nothing else.

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On the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath it is interesting to note that many of the signatories on that document loathed each other, had actually fought against each other yet marched together in the national interest when it mattered.

We have the rest of this year to make sure that every person in Scotland sees and understands what that document meant then and what it still means today. Let’s do it.

David McEwan Hill
Sandbank, Argyll

I DISAGREE with the views in David MacEwan Hill’s letter published recently where he is warning the party not to be involved in internal strife as that would be disastrous for the independence campaign The two most recent successful prime ministers, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, won elections following bitter battles for control of their parties. What the SNP needs is a massive clear-out at the top of career politicians and freeloaders. We will never achieve independence with this lot. Maybe someone with fire in their belly will emerge, who will take on Westminster. Preferably not a career politician.

Ronald Livingstone McNeill
Strachur

I’D like to reinforce the message in Martin Hannan’s timely article “Concern for Yes hubs’ future amid lockdown” (April 4). As an active member of Yes East Ayrshire, I’m acutely aware of the impact that closing our Hub in Kilmarnock, for an unknown length of time, could have on our income and thus our ability to carry on affirming that independence is normal.

READ MORE: Edinburgh Yes Hub appeal highlights fears for Yes groups amid lockdown

As the Scottish Independence Foundation has highlighted, we welcome all donations to help us remain viable and return to our usual activities as soon as it is safe to do so. I would like to urge all National readers, in East Ayrshire and beyond, to keep an eye on our social media; our Facebook page currently gives details of the quiz we are running in place of our usual evening events, and we will continue to update people on anything we are still able to do to further the cause.

S Fisk
East Ayrshire

ARE the flight-checker apps used by the writers of the recent letters able to distinguish the cargo or purpose of the planes that are still flying internationally? Surely these flights are not exclusively serving irresponsible travellers? What about international post – some of this is still continuing, as can be verified at the Royal Mail website? Are some of the passengers being repatriated to their home countries – where many will then face quarantine? Are the planes perhaps also carrying some vital supplies or equipment? Just a thought to always consider the bigger picture.

Colin Crombie
Leven

AMID the virus crisis the railways have proved a lifeline in keeping both Britain and Europe as a whole moving in context of freight, logistics and supply chains. This is a textbook example of the need to link up both parts of the United Kingdom via a Belfast rail tunnel. Freight of Ireland could board trains at Belfast and proceed direct to continental Europe and vice versa. With passenger planes grounded, such a rail tunnel would be a social lifeline as well.

John Barstow
Pulborough, West Sussex

A BRIEF thought for consideration as a practical measure. Given the vastly reduced volume of motorised traffic on the roads at present, might it not be wise to ask cyclists to abandon the pavements to pedestrians while using as much of the carriageway as necessary to distance themselves from exercising walkers? As we take our daily walk we are acutely aware of the difference in approach being adopted by many pavement users on bikes and their thinking and more considerate counterparts deliberately giving us as wide a berth as possible on the road. Of course, drivers would also have a role to play here, but one made much easier by the relatively light volume of traffic.

Ian Duff
Inverness

I’M ashamed to say that I have in the past surreptitiously crossed the road to avoid my neighbour. When I do, I always hope he hasn’t seen me. Today when I saw him coming, I crossed the road with a flourish and a cheery wave. He was grateful for my thoughtful manoeuvre and I was happy to avoid a boring monologue. Who would have thought that social distancing would have had this positive unforeseen consequence?

Bill Drew
Kirriemuir

ONE of the pictures illustrating yesterday’s article “Warning of even tougher lockdown as rules flouted” is of a couple enjoying the fresh air and spring sunshine, with nary another soul to be seen, except for two police officers, presumably cautioning them about their antisocial behaviour and asking them to move on, or face the consequences? Flouting the rules? Balderdash! Let’s see some common sense in their enforcement. At least in Scotland?

Archie McArthur
Edinburgh

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