IT is now seven years since the last referendum and yet there appears to be no enthusiasm in the SNP to lay the groundwork for another one, despite regular promises and half a dozen mandates.

I note, with a weary sigh, that Nicola’s recent promise of a referendum “within the first half of this Holyrood parliament” has now slipped to “before the end of this parliamentary term”. That indicates a probable slippage of another couple of years, by which time there will be the next Westminster election, which will probably be used as another excuse for procrastination.

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There should already be a full-time committee setting out the urgently needed plans on pensions, currency, the EU, and all the other matters which failed us in 2014. This can go ahead now and give the weary Yes movement some hope that their efforts and contributions are not being wasted.

The SNP are elected to lead us to independence. That should be the priority that drives them on a daily basis. Currently I see little evidence of such a priority.

James Duncan
Edinburgh