THE discussion about the Holyrood election and whether voting SNP in the list vote is wasted or whether voting for other pro-independence parties is gaming the system is difficult to argue either way.

If the SNP indicated clearly to the electorate that if there was a majority of votes for pro-independence parties

then they would declare independence, and if the other pro-independence parties clearly indicated the same, that would be democratic and ensure no pro-independence vote would be wasted.

While right now is not the time to indicate this vote for independence given the pandemic, if we don’t take the opportunity at the Holyrood election, as George Kerevan pointed out in his Monday column it is likely to be at least five years before a second referendum “during which window Boris will take every opportunity to erode and undermine the Yes majority” (Why a big indy vote next year will not get Scotland its referendum, July 20).

With repeated mandates we have become so used to asking permission of the UK for a Section 30 we have lost sight of the fact the vast majority of nations have declared independence without asking permission from the state which they are leaving. Indeed in 2010 at the International Court of Justice, discussing the Kosovo Declaration of Independence from Russia, the UK Government submission indicated it was to be expected that the law of the predecessor state would be broken in declaring independence but that in itself would not prevent international recognition, which is what legitimises the independence of a state.

Indeed it could be that if you think you need to get permission to be independent you actually don’t believe in self-determination or you don’t believe you have the right to it. When it comes to the Holyrood election the SNP needs to show clearly that doesn’t apply to them and to Scotland. Let’s go for it.

Jim Stamper

Bearsden