CHARLIE Kerr’s letter (May 29) suggests that some readers do not understand that sometimes, a lot of patience is required before the will of the majority can be realised.

Nicola can no more wave a magic wand and make Brexit disappear than Charlie Kerr can. Neither can she easily overcome the fact that alas, under our current legal constitutional settlement, no Sottish Parliament can authorise a referendum on independence which has internationally recognised legal status. Politics can be a wee bit more difficult sometimes than just getting a majority. That’s only the start of the process.

READ MORE: Why has the pandemic put independence on hold, but not Brexit?

Apartheid in South Africa took legal form in 1948. It subjected the majority of its people to nearly half-a-century of discrimination and worse. A huge majority of South African citizens wanted its end. But it took nearly 50 years before the first democratic election in the country’s history began the process of dismantling apartheid – a process which remains incomplete, a quarter of a century later, despite the remarkable leadership of Nelson Mandela.

Scotland is nothing like South Africa. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from history. I have no doubt Scotland will win back its independence, and at age 73 hope that will happen in my lifetime. But impatient folk like Charlie – and there are many of them – are doing NOTHING to bring that about by slagging our elected leadership. So DO something more constructive than just writing moaning letters. Like win over a few folk who are still firmly in the No camp, by talking to them. We don’t yet have a majority for indy2.

Dougie Harrison
Mingavie, Glasgow

I TOTALLY understand the ethos of Charlie Kerr’s letter asking why has the virus not put Brexit on hold. Mr Kerr believe me, all those in Scotland who voted to remain in the EU wish the current Brexit negotiations and transition date were indeed put on hold.

SNP MPs and the Scottish Government have all requested an extension to the December 30 deadline, but to no avail. On Mr Kerr’s point that if Brexit transition negotiations can go ahead, why not a second independence referendum? Well let’s be realistic; the country is in the midst of a global pandemic, and the UK Government by arrogantly sticking to the EU transition date of December 30 are demonstrating total irresponsibility and unfortunately we are all going to suffer with what looks like a hard Brexit.

By their actions, Westminster are piling more economic uncertainly and gloom on businesses and the markets already shaken by Covid-19; it beggars belief. In contrast, the Scottish Government are being totally realistic in tackling the pandemic first and foremost, after all it is people’s lives we are dealing with. A second independence referendum is not going away, it is merely on hold for a season. Scotland will have her day sooner rather than later.

Catriona C Clark
Falkirk

THE EU’s flagrant disregard for international law regarding Israel’s so-called settlement programme in the West Bank has been flaunted in the face of the world. In the face of persistent evidence of human rights abuses by the Palestinians, and even apartheid policies carried out by them, the EU has usually only cautioned, or threatened actions that never materialise.

Flora Selwyn
via email