DOESN’T David Crines (Letters, April 30) seem little more than an apologist for SNP’s apparent lack of drive on independence?

His argument that Sturgeon should hold off on indy and show leadership and competence to govern during this pandemic might hold water were it not for the reality that the current crisis simply provides the excuse for the SNP dithering that has been evident long before coronavirus afflicted us.

One only has to look at the leadership’s lukewarm involvement in the marches, pulling discussion of independence at party conference and Sturgeon’s non-existent riposte to Johnson’s refusal of a Section 30 order to comprehend that the party and its leader have long since not been driving the independence campaign; seeming to be more like bystanders hoping somehow it will happen and they’ll pick up the ball passed to them and run with it.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon pushing for independence would be career suicide

Also, isn’t the maxim to ignore other issues until the pandemic is dealt with the utmost naivety as well as politically disastrous?

Hasn’t this led to the Tory government driving a No Deal Brexit, trying to sneak it in by the back door while our eyes are focused solely on the pandemic?

And by giving the Tories a free ride over their appalling handling of the pandemic, aren’t we just adding to the potential unnecessary deaths their woeful administration and incompetence is clearly responsible for?

Sorry, Mr Crines, the pandemic is not the only political issue in town. We need to multi-task to ensure that when the pandemic plane lands, it’s on the airstrip and not the swamp.

The UK union has had over 300 years to get it right by Scotland. That we’re even having this independence debate proves it’s failed.

We should not fear explaining this to conservative-minded folks, rather shouldn’t we be continually explaining where Westminster is getting it wrong and how an independent Scotland could do much better? Even during this pandemic!

Jim Taylor
Edinburgh

WHERE do I apply to be Scotland’s “Proper Nasty Bastard” (The SNP need a nasty operator to put independence back on the table, April 29)? I do agree with Kevin McKenna that being nice, turning the other cheek etc as we are patronised and insulted within “this Precious Union” has to stop some time and independence has to be put squarely back on the agenda.

Of course the British Government will milk this awful pandemic – “we must all pull together as a UK” etc – and although I admire the First Minister’s self-control as she fields loaded questions hoping to lure her into a partisan outburst, I know she is too canny for that.

READ MORE: SNP need a nasty operator to put independence back on the table

Once political knockabout returns though, here’s an early suggestion for the Proper Nasty Bastard: voting in a constitutional referendum and for the Scottish Parliament should be restricted to those who have been resident in Scotland for three years. Of course this will exclude recent incomers of goodwill and who love Scotland, but many of those will be from countries where such a restriction is considered normal, indeed sensible. Oh, and voting should be a civic requirement, with non-compliers fined (see Australia).

Nasty? Not at all. For real nastiness see the Unionist/Tory media, and “you ‘aint seen nuthin’ yet”.

David Roche
Perth

I’VE been reading Kevin McKenna’s article about the SNP needing a “nasty bastard” like Dominic Cummings. Given his whole argument, to which I see some value, I would recommend himself as just the person to kick ass and shake the dust off the whole SNP government sitting in Holyrood.

It is well past the many reasons for just having even a vote to establish a majority for a real independence vote. Brexit is almost done. Now we have a national health situation where our First Minister appears to have linked arms with the Tories to make sure her input is counted. Well look where that has got us!

Now, because she has decided to make a few independent decisions, the loony tunes are up in arms once again giving her some stick. Well c’mon Nicola, find a stick of your own to fight back with. Get your own “Dominic Cummings” because, for sure, there is no-one in your ministerial Cabinet capable. Might I suggest Kevin McKenna.

Alan Magnus-Bennett
Fife

COULD Kevin McKenna please clarify what he meant by “the gender cult which is choking the SNP and independence” in Wednesday’s article? I sincerely hope that he does not refer to the fact that we have a healthy number of women in leading positions in our government.

Also, his reference to “someone with something of the night about them” has a chilling echo of the past!

Anne Campbell
Edinburgh

MAYBE it’s only me that notices. On my short and sweet travels with the dogs, I’m noticing a distinct lack of rubbish cast aside at road verges and pavements. It’s noticeable the reduction in fast food packaging that is no longer littering our streets and roads. A small but welcome blessing.

Dougie Gray
Dunbar