I TOTALLY agree with Patricia Logan’s letter (October 19) regarding Scottish Labour. I would only like to point out that Alex Rowley and perhaps fellow Fifer Henry McLeish do probably believe fully in independence but their loyalty to head office causes them to throw in the federal option.

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If they only realised that if Scotland had autonomy, Holyrood would not turn its back on its neighbours and friends south of the Border and across the Irish Sea. Scotland would help and support their respective governments and citizens. They would in fact be very close to the federalism they talk about, but have come to where they want to be in a far quicker way.

We would clearly work very closely with Westminster but as equals, not as servants. So Alex and Henry, grab the nettle and allow your party and potential supporters the opportunity to return to the main stage of Scottish politics. Stop floundering on the wings, support the right of self-determination, and take that vital final step!

Robin MacLean
Fort Augustus