THERE are three elements to Scotland becoming an independent country.
Firstly, there has to be a resounding victory for the SNP at the upcoming Holyrood elections. Then there has to be extreme pressure to hold another independence referendum and thirdly, and obviously, there has to be a Yes majority in the referendum.
However, the second and third elements won’t happen unless number one is achieved, something which is becoming increasingly doubtful as each day reveals yet more in-fighting in the SNP.
READ MORE: Long Read: The inside story of the week that rocked the SNP
The hapless Unionist parties don’t have to do anything right now but sit back and wait for us to beat ourselves.
It’s time for every SNP politician and activist to get their collective fingers out and concentrate on working together for independence.
Alex Salmond presided over failure in 2014 when we managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. A repeat of that outcome is unthinkable for someone like me, in my 75th year and having supported independence for more than 60 of those years.
I don’t care about hurt feelings, revenge, or rows about gender identity. Right now the only thing that matters is returning an SNP majority in May, and all minds need to be focused on that.
Don’t let rank-and-file supporters down yet again.
Gordon Newlands
Alicante
DEAR Joanna and Nicola,
Please please please sort this out. Yees are geen me the willies. You are two ladies I hold in the highest regard, highly intelligent, strong in character, powerful, both perfect to lead a nation.
OK, you have a number of different opinions which is absolutely fine and both are dedicated to the same goal, but surely you realise that this public display of antagonism must be harmful to the cause.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon remains the greatest asset in fight for independence
I have been voting SNP since the 70s because I dream of a free Scotland. Reading about your differences is causing me sleepless nights. Please call a truce until we reach that golden goal. Jaw jaw is always better than war war. So please, I appeal to you, give me a “be kind to Eric day,” meet and speak and sort this out. You can air your grievances after independence. I look forward to that debate.
Eric Morris
Crail
I AM sure that I am only one of the vast majority of your readers inside and outside the SNP who are heartedly sick of the infighting. Rather than indulging in what I’ve previously described as rearranging the deck chairs on the QE2, can we concentrate on the task in hand?
Step 1: Secure an internationally accepted vehicle for an expression of the will of the Scottish people. Step 2: Convince the Scottish people that their best interests are served in an independent nation. Step 3: Elect a Scottish Government capable of building an inclusive nation. Step 4: Do other things. Please note these things are strictly consecutive. In other words, forget about steps 2, 3 and 4 for the meantime.
Ian Richmond
Dumfries and Galloway
EXCELLENT article by Richard Walker (Why the infighting now with indy in our grasp?, February 5). I joined the SNP on September 19 2014 with the aim that the party would have no reason to exist.
Like many other activists I have devoted precious spare time campaigning for the hope of a better future. We know that a key move in the Unionist play book is to divide, so we fight among ourselves. Let’s not give them that satisfaction.
READ MORE: Richard Walker: Why is the SNP infighting now with independence in our grasp?
Stop public Twitter spats. Campaign for a strong pro-independence majority in May. Future generations in Scotland will not forgive us if we throw this chance away. The only obstacle to independence is ourselves. Eyes on the prize. For our children’s future.
Liz Kraft
via email
ON Friday we saw Ms Cherry throwing a tantrum about being sacked (Why my removal from the SNP front bench smacks of double standards. February 5). What did she expect? If you become a continuing thorn in the flesh of a management you get fired.
READ MORE: Joanna Cherry: Attempts to smear or intimidate won’t make SNP any stronger
No-one seeks to deny the abilities, effectiveness and hard work of this lady but it cannot be denied that she has of late along with others become a destabilising influence. I am sure many of us find some SNP actions or policies not to our liking, I certainly do, but the central goal is Scotland’s independence, not our personal preferences. Ths kind of rubbish could cost us a majority in the coming election.
R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian
ON BBC TV until this yesterday morning there was Politics Scotland, a discussion programme about the latest news and politics in Scotland which was on at 10am after the Andrew Marr Show. This programme originally lasted three-quarters of an hour then was reduced to half an hour and now has vanished completely.
Instead, we have a new programme on Radio Scotland at 10am replacing the very penetrating two-hour programme formerly hosted by Isabel Fraser and colleagues which started at 8am. The first half hour of this new shared programme comprises political interviews and is simultaneously broadcast on BBC1 TV.
Perhaps the BBC thinks we can’t count, but this still means political broadcasting input for Scotland is reduced by half an hour on Sunday mornings just three months before a Holyrood election. Why?
It seems that Scotland is being cut down to size once again by the ruling establishment.
Susan Grant
Tain
I HEARTILY agree with Hamish Scott’s thoughts on slogans (Letters, February 6). Might I suggest the following? “Indy Done in ‘21” and “Scotland New in ‘22”.
L McGregor
Falkirk
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