How does demanding real action on indy play into Unionist hands?

Well, isn’t the salient point that there is no “negotiation” taking place and through the framing of the Scotland Act and overt control of media output there is no imperative for there ever to be?

And doesn’t it really not matter how many in Scotland clamour in the opinion polls for indy, as without direct action to create the constitutional crisis to change the imperative, there likely never will be?

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Weren’t we told, when it seemed unlikely, that we needed a majority of Scottish indy-supporting MPs to achieve independence? So why aren’t we using this supermajority of indy-supporting MPs now to demand it?

Shouldn’t we be highlighting to the public in every policy area where being a “partner” in this iniquitous Union puts us at a disadvantage so the public can see clearly how indy will benefit them?

Prime Minister’s Questions is a window to the world. Isn’t that where we should be making demands for Scotland’s fundamental democratic rights to be respected? And if no adequate answer is forthcoming, shouldn’t our indy-supporting MPs withdraw from the Chamber and from participation in this shambolic charade of alleged democracy?

Let’s add to the confusion by voting on a motion in Holyrood to renounce the unscrupulously enacted Treaty of Union and unilaterally repeal the Act of Union 1707. The stooshie that would create would bring the issue to the attention of everyone and galvanise action.

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I just don’t see how demanding real action over indy plays into the hands of Unionists. It should serve as a warning that anger is mounting for action now.

We mustn’t allow the Unionists to sit back in comfort holding the aces. We have to give them the problem that only the plebiscite can begin to resolve for them.

Only when that’s achieved will those we need to take with us even begin to address the issues they’re confronted with and, as with opinion polls progression in 2014, see the rise in support that will bring the respectable victory we need to enable us to build a better Scotland away from the usurers of Westminster.

And wouldn’t it help if those like Nick Cole joined the clamour for real action now rather than claiming a division that neither exists or is relevant to the wider cause of Scotland’s intrinsic right to self-determination?

Jim Taylor
Edinburgh

ANAS Sarwar likes to blandly parrot the phrase that “Scotland is being failed by both governments” yet does not explain how the Scottish Government (whether SNP or Labour) could have succeeded when the UK Government was failing, economically and democratically. Of course, it is easy to haughtily criticise others but while popular soundbites come easily, fundamental change does not.

The truth (which Mr Sarwar refuses to honestly admit) is that as long as it is bound to the Union, Scotland cannot even begin to significantly prosper while the UK economy is broken, austerity continues to effectively starve public services of much-needed cash, and there is a lack of substantial funds available (evidenced by “Northern Leg” cancellation of HS2) to invest in Scotland’s infrastructure that has been neglected for decades.

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According to Mr Sarwar’s boss, Sir Keir, it will take 10 years to turn the economy around and for the UK, and perhaps Scotland, to benefit from sustained financial growth, but any serious social and democratic gains would take much longer to emerge.

In other words, the “Big Labour Plan” would essentially ensure more of the same for Scotland over the next 10 years, especially if there is not a strong SNP voice at Westminster pushing for more progressive policies. The only route to achieving real change and for Scotland to secure its true potential as a prosperous, fair and egalitarian country, is for Scotland to determine its own future as an independent nation again.

Perhaps, as Labour at Westminster have joined with the Tories in effectively abandoning the historic inhabitants of Palestine, more Labour supporters, activists, and possibly even a few principled MSPs will wake up and realise that their aspirations, for Scotland and its people, cannot be attained within the current failing constitutional arrangements.

Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian

SARWAR condemns others for refusing to follow orders which are clearly immoral (Sarwar attacks Labour figures who quit over Gaza ‘gag order’, Oct 25). The Nuremberg defence does not absolve you of being guilty in acts of war crimes whether by deed or act. The state of Israel has ignored UN resolutions for years and continues to wipe the Palestinians from the face of the Earth. Shame on the USA, the UK and others who stand in support of this policy.

William Cargill
via thenational.scot