THE Unionists of lesser cerebral capability have, it is fair to say, being going into a full-on meltdown over our First Minister’s announcement concerning the independence referendum. Some may well have exceeded safe upper limits for their blood pressure level, such was the lather that they whipped themselves into.

Apparently it is undemocratic and jolly well not on for a government that holds a mandate to use that mandate for the purpose it was given, and given by the voters here in Scotland. Personally I think someone should take these Unionists to one side and explain, using crayons if necessary, what is meant by the phrase due democratic process.

READ MORE: Independence: Nicola Sturgeon to unveil referendum plans

As for everyone else, well those already in support of independence have work to do to convince those of an open mind that an independent Scotland is the best option.

The Johnson administration has proven that there are no broad shoulders of the Union for anyone to rest on, only the establishment – and it looks after itself. The clusterbourach in regards to the handling of the pandemic has shown just how out of depth the Cabinet is and how out of control Cummings is.

It looks very much as if we are heading for a No-Deal Brexit, a situation brought about by Downing Street, who have proven they could not negotiate themselves out of a crisp packet let alone into trade deals. The recession that we are in again is brought about by the inaction of Downing Street.

Independence has to be more inviting than what the Conservative & Colonial party have in store for us. We of course can expect the establishment dummy to be thrown from the pram as they chuck their propaganda insults and misinformation at Scotland. They and their followers will try to smear both the good name of the independence movement and those they feel are its leadership. Nothing they say will be new, nothing they say will be nice. The establishment, after all, is the ultimate in abusive partners, however like any abusive partner they are cowards at heart.

So if all goes to plan, this time next year we will be in the midst of a campaign for  independence and all we have to do is show faith in the leadership and unity towards repelling the Unionist slander that is heading our way. Twelve months is but the slightest of time frames compared to the 313 x 12 months that we have as a nation endured under the thrall, the servitude, the belittling of a uncaring establishment.

Independence is ours to lose and for the sake of those not born, those uncounted generations stretching forward into our nation’s timeline, let us not blow the opportunity, let us instead carry the day.

Cliff Purvis
Veterans For Scottish Independence 2.0

LIKE so many, I was so pleased with Nicola’s announcement. I also realise it’s imperative she doesn’t give away too much detail.

I was particularly reassured by her intentions of introducing a National Social Care Service. Many care homes have merely been a source of easy money for private companies. A national disgrace introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s approach to cutting back local government’s finances. As Nicola said, the now beleaguered NHS came out of the ashes of World War Two, but it has been put into decline by self-indulgent penny-pinching Westminster governments.

However, things could drastically change for the better. We now have a real chance that a National Social Care Service and an improved NHS should emerge from the disastrous pandemic – hopefully the first of many groundbreaking policies from a confident independent nation. Unfortunately, though, no word of Trident ... I look forward to hearing Nicola’s plans in the coming weeks, as we approach the Holyrood elections. We should also be suggesting to Westminster that they search for a new site now. It certainly shouldn’t be allowed to remain here as it has no place in a confident, modern democracy!

Robin MacLean
Fort Augustus

YOUR constant, uncritical promotion of Nicola Sturgeon is not journalism, it is cheerleading at its worst. How is this any different from the Unionist and mainstream media’s uncritical support of Westminster? Sensational, misleading and manipulative headlines, such as “Nicola Sturgeon plans ‘ambitious’ bill to enshrine UN convention in Scots law” (September 1), are hallmarks and tricks of the gutter press. Your complete lack of objectivity is a disservice not just to your profession but to your readership and the whole of Scotland. I appreciate that these are difficult and troubled times, when standards and norms are collapsing all around us, but this is all the more reason to remain level-headed and clear-sighted.

Solomon Steinbett
Glasgow

EUROPEAN analyst Anthony Salamone states that his foreign policy blueprint, the concept of which I wholeheartedly approve, is “not about deciding in advance what Scotland’s foreign policy would be”, but then goes on to do just that by promoting an extremely narrow and prescriptive vision where we would “integrate Scottish EU membership with foreign policy”. Not in my name.

If Mr Salamone is not unaware of the EU’s proposals for a European Defence Union (their phrase, not mine), then I would be most surprised. Therefore, can he elaborate on why he believes aligning Nato policy with EU defence policy would enhance Scottish sovereignty? All it would do is corrode it considerably.

Mr Salmone is right to promote his ideas on future Scottish foreign policy, but too many Scots have returned in body bags over decades to meekly accept the restrictions of an EU/Nato straitjacket.

My preference would be for a Scotland out of the EU, leaving Nato to join Partners for Peace, and for a tripartite neutrality pact with Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.

Cllr Andy Doig (Independent)
Renfrewshire Council