CHARLIE Kerr (Letters, August 29) is a man after my own heart. I sense in his letter exactly the same frustration – nay, desperation – that I currently feel, while our side of the independence argument are banned from campaigning and day in, day out the Unionist side promote their cause.

As I and many friends and colleagues see it, every day the Unionists offer us an open goal, and our political leaders ignore it. At the same time, we offer them an open goal, as with the incredible decision of the SNP National Executive Committee over Westminster MPs standing for selection for Holyrood.

Who in their right mind gives up their current job so that they can be considered for interview for a different one? Judging by all the comments I have heard, this decision would almost certainly not pass a grassroots vote at conference.

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Meanwhile we hear of all the long-serving, experienced MSPs who intend to retire at the next election. Granted, they have worked for their retirement. But that leaves mainly those at Westminster who have long enough experience of dealing with Westminster under devolution, whose understanding of the attitudes and highly honed double-dealing skills of the UK Government will be critical in future independence negotiations. But this insane ruling in practical terms bars them for standing for Holyrood, where they could be most effective.

Add to this scenario that our Scottish response to every attack on our status and powers is to protest and point out the damage that will ensue for Scotland, while demanding changes to proposals. All totally useless, in my opinion, as these reactions serve only to give satisfaction to our Unionist opponents that their efforts to weaken and impoverish Scotland are working.

Time is short to make a positive impact. Once the bill on the internal market is passed, Holyrood competences will already be lost. Why, therefore, is Holyrood not acting urgently to forestall this power grab, by identifying all those powers and standards that will be diminished and using the competences they currently have to enshrine these in law in perpetuity, or at least until the sovereign people of Scotland demand that they are changed?

Instead of railing impotently, they would be making a positive stand within their powers. Westminster would then be on the back foot, having to decide whether to challenge our pre-existing legislation or accept our right to set our own standards. Would that not make abundantly clear to those who hesitate on independence that Westminster had assumed the right to overrule our government whenever and however they wish?

So let’s start to push the boundaries as far as competence allows. The first statement or action carries far more weight than rebuttal or defence.

L McGregor
Falkirk

VERY much agree with getting talent back from Westminster and into Holyrood – the NEC needs to do a U-turn on allowing MPs to hold their seat and keep their office/staff employed until the result of any bid to become a MSP is known. After all, if we’re to become independent, we won’t need the WM presence at all.

Ian Waugh
via thenational.scot

CHARLIE Kerr of Glenrothes is absolutely spot on! I hope Nicola and her advisers also follow the National Conversation ... it’s the best bit of the paper (Ruth Wishart’s bit isn’t bad either!).

The juggernaut for independence is revved up and ready to go. We’ve sat at the traffic lights for far too long ... the red has turned to amber but now it’s green!!! Why wait? Why remain stationary? Go! For goodness sake, GO!

Robin MacLean
Fort Augustus