LIKE the majority of independence supporters, I shake my head in disbelief when listening to the current inquiry at Holyrood. To see two such capable leaders of the party and movement attack each other in public is distressing and can do nothing other than harm the cause.
Many members take encouragement that we are at the 50%-plus mark for independence. I do not see that as a positive. With the most inept UK Prime Minister at Westminster and the most odious right-wing Tory government, I would contend
that were it not for the Salmond/Sturgeon dual then support now would be 60% plus. Their actions are suppressing the growth of the movement and need closed down as soon as possible.
READ MORE: John Swinney faces no-confidence vote over Alex Salmond legal advice refusal
Alex Salmond has had his “day at the committee”, and has named those he believes should resign. He did not ask or suggest that Nicola Sturgeon resign.
Nicola Sturgeon will have “her day” on Wednesday and it will be interesting to hear her version of events. It does not help, however, that she has already stated: “Alex Salmond has been unable to prove that there was a conspiracy to remove him from public life and indeed put him in prison” .
Alex Salmond was careful not to assert that there was a conspiracy. That he cannot “prove” a number of people acted in unison and colluded to remove him is not a surprise!
The Crown Office has of course ensured that he cannot. Retention of key documents and redaction from others that Salmond has seen but cannot speak to would ensure that this is the case.
READ MORE: Jim Sillars writes directly to Nicola Sturgeon over alleged code breach
The outcome from Wednesday’s meeting is really all but irrelevant, unless of course Nicola chooses to resign. Not in my opinion necessary given the examples set in Westminster, where Johnson attempted to prorogue Westminster and even lied to the Queen.
What is relevant is that Nicola Sturgeon – who I do hope retains her position – leads us forward and quickly articulates the party’s vision of what an independent Scotland will look like, what that means for the average citizen, and motivates us, the long-serving members of the party and movement, to put this sorry case behind us and take that vision forward into our communities.
Business for Scotland is doing a great job on this front with its billboard campaign and is an example of how to present that positive vision and ambition.
We have only weeks to move forward; the May elections are critical to all our ambitions for independence. I hope this case proves that the “movement” is bigger than the “party” and both are bigger than any individual. Let’s all move forward with renewed vigour, and end this distraction. Sell the ambition of what we, as the community of Scotland, can achieve freed from the most corrupt group of politicians ever known to inhabit the Palace of Westminster.
Let’s just get it done.
Ian Stewart
Uig, Isle of Skye
AT the end of Alex Salmond’s evidence to the Holyrood committee, he threw a bombshell at the stunned members. Under the Scotland Act they had the legal right to request evidence from his defence lawyers of material that the Crown Office had already censored. It could be presented to them by today. It remains to be seen whether they have the commitment to see the truth emerge, as it should.
Mike Herd
Highland
I HAVE read all the replies (February 27) to my letter about the Salmond/Sturgeon quarrel. You are all right. I will vote for the SNP in May. Independence is bigger than Sturgeon, Salmond, the SNP. My German wife and I will both vote. Thank you all for putting new heart into me!
Alasdair MacDiarmid
Appin
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here