WHAT now for the SNP? It’s obvious to everyone that they are no longer seen as the lead party of independence. The SNP/Green government must now focus on delivering the policies that an elected government should do, particularly with the cost-of-living crisis. There’s so much that can be done even with the limited budget.

I have been dragged into the higher rate of income tax, but I’m willing to pay a little more if the money is used to alleviate poverty for those with the greatest needs. That’s what an independent Scotland would do for its citizens. The focus of the new government is to make life better for all Scottish citizens. If they succeed, before the next Holyrood election, the question of independence will follow.

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I have always said that the prize of becoming an independent nation is a marathon and not a sprint, but we must get it right. The last thing is to have a referendum and lose! It must be the settled will of the people who live in Scotland.

I think that it’s a good thing to have new faces at the top of the SNP. I’m one if those 30,000 who left the SNP, becoming a member of the Scottish Greens. I know that the Greens are in government but they will push the SNP to put people first.

The recent events in the SNP I believe are “growing pains”. There comes a time where all organisations implode and can no longer maintain the status quo. That it is happening now, is an indication that the SNP have to govern for all Scots, irrespective of where they came from or who they voted for or whether they support Scottish independence.

I work with the public all day, and the range of people who talk with a Scottish accent is quite astonishing. They identify themselves as Scottish as do I, even though I was brought up in north-west England. Despite the recent polls I think the real level of support for independence is well above 60%, particularly among the young and those who have made Scotland their home, which incidentally includes my own son and his family.

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The UK establishment is terrified at the prospect of “losing” Scotland. But instead of engaging with the Scottish People, LabLibTory double down on their personal attacks on individuals. Of course what they don’t realise is that by attacking the SNP/Greens they are attacking vast swathes of Scottish people who support these people?

The attacks on Lorna Slater are a prime example. The scheme to create a circular recycling system is a prime example. A scheme which is well established in many forward-thinking countries. NB, in the sixties everything was recycled because it was all wood, cardboard or glass and we used to get money back on glass bottles! Not such a new scheme, I think.

As with the GRR bill. The Scottish Governor General Jack(who has so much influence he couldn’t even get the BBC to have the Eurovision Song Contest in Glasgow!) has nailed his colours to the cross, using a little-known law to thwart the will of the Scottish Parliament. People who live in Scotland are very aware of this duplicity.

READ MORE: Poll shows majority of Yes voters back independence convention

The UK is in its twilight years and everyone knows it except Westminster and the English electorate! A federal UK is coming, but not what Gordon Brown intimates. It’s four countries with a shared goal, but as an alliance not a single entity.

People are suffering in their millions and will not accept an authoritarian regime. I think the King’s Coronation will be a prime example of people’s apathy. In a recent YouGov poll more than 60% of the UK population think the Royal Family should pay for it! You won’t hear that from Westminster or the BBC!

It’s been a long journey to independence for Scotland but I believe it will happen sooner than expected. Scotland the brave!

Colin Counter
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