I AM concerned about the disrespect shown towards Scottish MPs in the House of Commons. Of course, no-one expects their elected representatives to be treated with kid gloves, particularly in opposition, but it now seems that the Scottish electorate are no longer represented in our democracy. This is very far from the respect and equal status that was promised in the 2014 referendum debate.

I am almost 65 years old and I have never been a fan of the arcane procedures and traditions of the House. The democratic deficit seems now to be getting worse and worse. Since the SNP have, quite legitimately, formed the majority of our MPs, their voice – and by extension the voice of those who chose them – has been treated with derision and contempt. The name of the party continues to be deliberately miss-called with sinister political (not humourous) intent.

WATCH: MPs laugh and heckle as Ian Blackford can't appear during PMQs

The inability of the SNP leader to question the PM due to weather conditions in his remote constituency is treated with great merriment by other MPs. What in God’s name is so funny? Scottish MPs do not take part in debate on matters relating exclusively to England and yet when matters relating specifically to Scotland are debated, the committee is packed with hostile non-Scottish MPs who stifle any meaningful debate.

What are the Scottish people, whether Unionist or pro-independence, to make of all this? If I, as an older citizen, am concerned, how must the young and upcoming voters feel?

Alan Cunningham
Rosyth

ANENT Kirsteen Paterson’s “Truth behind ‘leaked SNP manifesto draft’” story in the Sunday National of March 14. Well done to the editor for publishing this story and to the excellent Kirsteen Paterson for exposing this nonsense. We need more of this in both The National and Sunday National.

While it is acceptable to be critical where circumstance demands, recent months have seen what I can only describe as a completely over-the-top mix of accusation, finger-pointing, assumption, and dare I say it what almost looks like constructed lies being hurled at the SNP specifically and the independence movement in general.

READ MORE: Revealed: The truth behind the SNP's 'manifesto' leaked to Wings Over Scotland

This has been picked up by some otherwise sensible voices. Just because “Wings” or any other outlet publishes something does not make it true ... or even accurate.

Recently I’ve heard of formerly avid readers turning their backs on The National and Sunday National as they were convinced both papers were going the same way as “Wings” and other formerly supportive pro-independence commentators.

I recall watching the TV documentary a while back that featured the small production team at The National, including Callum Baird and Kirsteen Paterson among others, and was struck by their insightful comments as they discussed production issues.

It is this approach that will surely see the papers go from strength to strength.

Expose those who would harm our campaign and promote those who are working against a tide of misinformation and mischief designed to derail Scotland’s right to a better future.

Robert Wallace
via email

I NOTE that according to the BBC’s website it understands that the “Cabinet Office is to move at least 500 civil servant jobs to Glasgow by 2024 to work at a new secondary headquarters”.

At last PM Boris Johnson has come to the realisation, however painful that might be, that the elections in May will deliver a majority for the SNP and Scotland will be en route to becoming independent and taking its rightful place among the independent nations of the world.

READ MORE: Sarah Vine left red-faced after tweet praising Cabinet Office's move to Glasgow

Will the new office in Glasgow be the forerunner to the establishment of an English embassy in Scotland? I appreciate that embassies are normally located in the country’s capital city but a move from Glasgow to Edinburgh would be no big deal.

Perhaps it is time for the Scottish Government to be be making tentative plans for locations for Scottish embassies in other countries.

It is not all bad news for the Westminster establishment, because at long last they will have what they have always wanted: English votes for English laws.

Sadly one of the problems is that the PM’s “promises” do not seem to last for too long!

Thomas L Inglis
Fintry

READING some of the views expressed on the letters pages makes me think that some of the writers’ political eyes are out of focus.

Coming to May’s elections there is only one essential focus for our independence movement and that is an SNP majority at best, or at least a majority of independence-supporting MSPs. Other matters have to take a back seat regardless of how one views their importance.

If either of the above results is achieved, that will be the springboard from which we launch our struggle in whatever form it may take.

All present talk from some that the SNP leadership is asleep at the wheel, being lukewarm on indy, that pleading with Johnson for a Section 30 order is futile etc is secondary to our main aim and in many respects ammunition for the Unionists.

There is an important basic element in this period of Scottish politics. There exists a diverse, active movement (despite great restrictions) conducting all manner of events who are putting the case for self-determination out to our nation and complementing the independence vote in May’s elections.

Lastly, Johnson is awaiting the outcome of our election before he decides what way he should move. The outcome in May will be the determining factor as to his reaction. For our movement it will be how we react to whatever decision he takes.

Bobby Brennan
Glasgow