Sir, – As expected, Scotland’s regional assembly has voted to have another independence referendum.
As I understand things, this vote result is not compulsory, but advisory, and Nicola Surgeon has been totally irresponsible in prolonging this line of action.
Her proposed timetable to have this by April 2019 is ridiculous.
Nobody knows whether or not negotiations will be complete at that time, and no opportunity given to see how things will work out.
A responsible first minister would cooperate with Westminster to assist in obtaining the best possible outcome for the negotiations. Time should be given to see how everything works out once implemented. A 10-year plan seems to me to be quite reasonable, and if at the end of that period, things have not worked out, then decide on another course of action.
A referendum result on a matter of such importance should require a two-thirds majority in favour to win such a vote.
The SNP has this requirement in its constitution when voting on internal matters.
Ms Sturgeon is also playing a dangerous game with her own political future. The chances of an independent Scotland joining the EU, or a free-trade area are pretty slim, if hard borders with England are to be avoided.
Peter McCormack.
Grangeside,
Errol.
Scots paying for foreign students
Sir, – With attainment levels plunging in schools, with a crisis in the health service, restrictions on money given to councils and with Scotland now the highest taxed country in the UK, you would think that every penny would be important to the Scottish Government.
However, we continue to to pay foreign students’ tuition fees.
Mike Rogalski.
82 Feus Road,
Perth.
Free tuition welcomed
Sir, – Among all the bleak news lately, can I just say how absolutely refreshing it is to find out that the Scottish Government has announced that EU students who enrol at Scottish universities in 2018-19 will have free tuition for the whole of their study period.
Scotland really is a different country and deserves to stand independent from the mess unleashed on us by the UK Government and the Brexit fiasco.
Graeme Finnie.
Albert Street,
Blairgowrie.
Cyclists ignoring road rules
Sir, – I would like to congratulate Clark Cross on his letter about cyclists not knowing the Highway Code, but he left something out.
Cyclists do not require to be seen at night. They should cycle along without any reflectors or lights on their bicycles, wearing dark-coloured clothing, which makes them so much easier to be seen in the dark. Once again, it is the motorist who is at fault if there is any accident.
Susan Morris.
2 College Road,
Methven.
Tough talking Ruth Davidson
Sir, – At last a Scottish Tory with some mettle.
On Tuesday, Ruth Davidson was making her speech during the referendum debate and was interrupted by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Ms Davidson held her ground and told her to sit down until it was her turn. There is a protocol in both the Scottish and Westminster parliaments, yet our SNP politicians seem to believe there is one rule for them and another for all other less aggressive politicians.
There will be a second referendum but it needs to be after Brexit is complete and settling in, around spring 2020 at the earliest.
However, until we have this second vote, the UK Government needs to put on hold the £250 million upgrade starting this year at Faslane as it will all have to move to south of the border.
There is also the question of where the new frigates will be built in the event of a Yes vote.
Yards in the north of England and Northern Ireland have capacity.
Why can the SNP and their Green puppies not work at their day jobs and try to make a better job of governing the country?
George Sangster.
Woodlands,
Logie,
Montrose
Keeping pupils in ignorance
Sir, – I have wondered for some time why the Scottish Government has seemed somewhat reluctant to address the falling standards in our schools, but, when I heard that the headteacher of Blairgowrie High was asking parents with maths qualifications to fill in for the lack of teachers it all became clear.
The Scottish National Party wants an ill-educated electorate, particularly in numeracy, who cannot work out that an independent Scotland with a 10% fiscal deficit would be in a dire financial position.
Councillor Mac Roberts.
Perth and Kinross Council.
Ward One,
Carse of Gowrie.
We need to be more resilient
Sir, – The country needs to man up.
The Westminster atrocity last week was clearly perpetrated by a single, deranged individual of limited intelligence.
Each day, accidents on our roads create a greater toll of carnage.
The next time we face an organised, competent group of Islamist terrorists, the slaughter will be very considerably worse, and we will still need to go about our daily business despite them and their vile ideology.
Otto Inglis.
6 Inveralmond Grove,
Edinburgh.
Listen to people of Scotland
Sir, – I find it almost incredible that after her meeting with Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon claimed that in relation to Brexit she was frustrated by the process and was not being listened to.
That is exactly how many voters in Scotland feel regarding independence.
In 2014, Scotland voted No and thank goodness we did with the slump in oil prices, a commodity the SNP promised would lead Scotland to be a land of milk and honey. Ms Sturgeon is also refusing to listen to anyone who tries to explain basic economic facts about joining the EU if Scotland gets independence.
No matter how she pleads and stamps her feet, Scotland has an appalling deficit of £14.8 billion, 9.5% of Scottish GDP and twice the rate of the UK and the highest in Europe.
How on earth will Scotland be able to join the EU when entry requirements are a maximum deficit of 3% of GDP?
Miss Sturgeon, of course, has been told this on many occasions. We, the Scottish electorate, are frustrated by a process and a leader who is not listening.
Gordon Kennedy.
117 Simpson Square,
Perth.