SORRY to rain on Professor Curtice’s parade, but speaking to the substance and benefits of independence is not the immediate concern (John Curtice on what Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP must do to win independence, February 14). That’s for argument during the campaign itself, and it needs to be fresh, of the moment and relevant to the contemporary of the debate itself.

We are nowhere near that point. And miring ourselves on-the-hoof in such argument now will simply muddy the cause.

Indeed, we can be sure that there are areas of policy and governance that will be difficult to explain, and to enter into that now simply gives establishment opponents the opportunity to drive home negatives rather than positives that will assuredly be argued convincingly when minds are focused on the real issues.

However, our imperative now is to decide how we are going to achieve independence, what mechanism should be utilised.

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In a fair world, Westminster would recognise Scotland’s claim of right and work to ease the transition to independence, its reward being a properly governed, financially secure and politically stable ally on its borders.

The reality is that we are dealing with a Westminster regime that considers itself our “Master” – with an empire mentality that views Scotland as a chattel of the Motherland, a cash cow with essential resources to be exploited for the English exchequer – and which is determined not to cede the democratic justice commensurate with the normal democratic rights of a nation it is denying.

The plain truth is our current campaigning is failing to counter this denial of our democratic rights. We’re trying to make an omelette but can’t bring ourselves to crack open the eggs.

Wallowing in the bureaucratic process of special conferences doesn’t cut it, what we’re lacking is a driven leader we can respect and believe will drive the cause.

Historical empire mentality shows countries don’t gain independence through the gift of its “Master”, it had to be “fought” for. Westminster will never grant a referendum, at least not until it can be certain Scots will reject independence. And that’s not the case right now.

While the evidence of marches and organisations making the case shows considerable grassroots support, our political de facto SNP “leaders” have kept them at arm’s length while engaging in a half-hearted, disjointed, ill-thought campaign strategy that is failing woefully and entirely devoid of the tactics to drive success. We’re even farther behind than December 2019 when Sturgeon asked Johnson for a Section 30 order, which he was allowed to dismiss out-of-hand without riposte.

If we’re serious about democracy and independence, don’t we need co-ordination to break out in the campaign, for a concerted effort including all pro-indy interests, and tactical direct action designed to make the status quo uncomfortable and politically untenable for Westminster?

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Doesn’t the referendum need to be seen by Westminster as the only solution to the problem we’ve created that they’re faced with, and desperate to resolve?

Without disrupting this Westminster-controlled process, won’t we all perish before this rump British Empire gives away the “dripping roast” they consider Scotland to be?

Jim Taylor

Edinburgh

WHOEVER replaces Nicola Sturgeon, support for independence will grow considerably as a result of inflation, fuel and living costs, the NHS and grinding poverty. The right-wing Labour Party can’t be successful as their policies are much the same as the Tories and will continue the current problems.

Colin Beattie

Via email