HAVING recently retired to Scotland from Yorkshire, I have been able to immerse myself into the politics of the nation and what I have found has come as a bit of a surprise!

I had not foreseen the level of trepidation with regard to independence that seems to exist amongst a significant number of Scottish citizens. I had anticipated that, like me, the people of this country would recognise the potential there is for Scotland to exist as a free, thriving and successful independent nation.

Admittedly, recent polls show a very positive swing in favour of independence but there is still a large segment of people who seem afraid to support the move to change.

It is this which baffles me.

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It seems to this newcomer that economic viability is the key factor in causing such hesitancy. However, even before moving to the beautiful Borders I knew that in terms of measures such as total GDP and GDP per capita, Scotland compares very favourably with many European Union nations of similar size, and even holds its own against larger nations such as Portugal and Greece.

So why the doubt?

As a sports fan, I am well aware that Scotland’s sports teams – football, rugby amongst others – never for a moment go into a contest fearing that they are not good enough. Whenever they take to the field they believe in themselves and the strength of their team. As a result, they often produce outstanding performances and succeed where the doubters feared they would not.

Perhaps as a country we need to adopt some of the self-belief that our sports teams display; we have all the qualities and resources required to succeed as an independent country, so let’s get on with it.

Mel Henshall
Melrose

THE National of late has been good in reporting the various warring and bandwagon factions, internally in the SNP and also outwith of opposing politicians, trying to hitch a ride on what they perceive as a chance to bolster their own political failed past at the expense of Scotland’s tribulations as an independent nation.

My initial concerns were that this could be detrimental to the independence we seek, but I am glad to say that I have changed entirely to treating this adverse activity as entirely positive.

Indeed, in many instances it helps to clear the air, to the advantage for those that presently swither to support independence and now see the light clearer as to what Scotland as a country has had to put up with and the damage we as a country have had to contend with, showing up in more positive poll results that are worrying the Westminster government.

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At the weekend it was reported that the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, said on Sky News that another independence referendum would be divisive. Of course it would be – from and for England – that is what independence is. England will survive in its own way. After all, they voted for Brexit, which they were given. Scotland voted against it. Pronouncements such as this are helpful to the independence cause.

It appears that politically, down south the Westminster waffle is increasingly empty as they run out of their usual mantras, realising the fear caused in the past is no longer there. It is now treated with contempt. After all, the Scots did not come up the Clyde in a banana boat. If that is too pithy an expression, one can say they certainly don’t have buttons up the back of their head.

Scotland has the common sense to see what is now ahead, and it is not pretty.

Let’s be positive and just get on with the job started a long time ago, and accept that all the present adverse dross will be like sifting material through a colander into fine dust, leaving the worthwhile items behind to bolster a proper and worthwhile nation.

As for the election, bring it on and let us show that a meaningful vote for independence cannot be avoided and we can join other independent nations in Europe.

W D Mill Irving
Kilbirnie

SAVE Our Scotland! It’s urgent and for all the reasons given by Andrew Reid in Saturday’s paper (After Brexit is done, the focus will be getting devolution undone, September 19). But let us not trust it to a referendum, especially not in 2025 or even in May of next year – unless, that is, we immediately hold a snap referendum on the UK Internal Market Bill?

Once the UK Internal Market Bill gains royal assent, it is to have immediate effect. The disempowerment and possible dismantling of the Scottish Parliament will then commence in earnest. A huge takeover could happen as early as the end of this October!

Most of our domestic decisions and legislation would then be subject to the whim of a single UK minister, and it is not to Holyrood that we would be looking for our policy-making and its implementation but to Queen Elizabeth House with its army of civil servants.

Perhaps a “Scottish Votes for Scottish Laws” bill could be rushed through Holyrood – also with immediate effect? As the UK Internal Market Bill significantly changes Scottish legislation, it is vital for Scottish MPs and MSPs to have the right to agree or not to these changes. It may not stall Westminster for long, but it would highlight the issue and might also help to open the eyes of those blind to the imminent power grab and so encourage them to support the cause of Scottish self-determination. Or should the Treaty of Union be immediately declared irretrievably broken by this Bill, as well as by the actions of the current Westminster Government?

It is imperative to act quickly and decisively lest, as Clive Ponting suggested in The National on August 7, in the event of a No-Deal Brexit the Westminster government take emergency powers and actually dissolve the Scottish Parliament. Whatever path is chosen to Save Our Scotland, it is also imperative to follow the directions of our “General” and her team.

Mark Waters
East Lothian