Saving the UK from itself will not get us our independence

I am not in the Yes movement to support Britain, unless it is to MY country’s advantage so to do.

I dearly love Nicola and all her works, but I fear she is helping the British in the hope that some time later they, in turn, will decide to be nice too and reward us Scots for our support, by (at worst) not hindering our endeavours to be free and (at best) lending their support to our endeavours, in a similar way to the way we have done with them.

I simply don’t buy this.

The lesson we should have learned by now is: our southern neighbours love our country, but would prefer that they didn’t have to love its inhabitants too much.

I doubt if there will be a split in the rest of Britain, divided by those who support us becoming independent and those who don’t.

I am fairly certain there will be no groundswell of decency and recognition of our situation, such as there has been from the Scottish Government during the whole Brexit debate.

My feeble analysis of the situation after whatever Brexit becomes is: the UK Government will be able to become single-minded, once more, in its opposition to Scotland and her interests and will be able to focus all of its powers in preventing us achieving our aims.

Today, the opposition to our independence is divided and apparently we have chosen to be “nice guys” instead of using the simple device of any battle, which is to attack the opposition (or enemy, if you like) while they are divided. Hardly any great wonder that the Yes movement is weaker than it should be at the time when the opposition is divided.

To quote from the Bible, Corinthians verse 14: “If the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare for battle?”

I truly believe, and I think George Kerevan has the nub of the matter, it is time to fight and for our leaders to say so!

Until now, I have stoutly defended Nicola’s tactics and am no tactician myself, but this appears to be a most opportune moment. However, we are getting an uncertain message from Holyrood.

I don’t remember, as a member of the SNP, any debate about the present “tactic” and certainly no agreement by members on it.

I have always said, “I am a sojer no’ a general”, but making some kind of peace with the enemy BEFORE our own fight, in the hope that, despite the lessons of history, they will somehow let us get on with our own aims and “let us go free”, is a dream.

There is no exactly correct time to go into battle, so prepare for winning and start the initial skirmishes NOW.

The opposition have ALWAYS seen common decency as a weakness – let’s not encourage them!

Harry Bickerstaff
St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire

READ MORE: There may never be a better time to call a second Scottish independence referendum​

IT may be a noble cause to save England from itself over its “rule Britania” attitude to removing us all under the misguided Brexit fiasco.

But let’s not forget that independence is our goal and sometimes you have to leave your neighbours to their own devices.

If Scotland is to survive as a country and move forward with our brothers and sisters in Europe then leaving this stifling UK is essential.

The Brexit clique within the Tories and Labour are on a road to nowhere. Perhaps it is time to let them go their way and we will go ours. This clique are not listening to Scots so why are we wasting our energy on them.

Independence is our cause, not saving the UK. Let’s just get on with it.

Bryan Auchterlonie
Perthshire

THE last thing the UK needs just now is another divisive referendum on the country’s relationship with the EU. More chaos would undoubtedly follow – no matter who wins.

What the UK needs is Members of Parliament to take responsible action and do the right thing for the future economic wellbeing of the country. It’s time for rational Members on all sides of the House to get together, make their voices heard and face down the Little Englanders of the so-called European Research Group who are making a mockery of Westminster.

First of all the moderates must get the truth out into the public domain and kill off these hollow soundbites proclaiming “we’ll take control of our borders”, “we’ll make our own rules” and “we can trade with the rest of the world”. A majority of MPs know that the UK needs to stay in the single market and the customs union for the protection of trade and industry among many other things. The best way to do that is to withdraw the Article 50 notice, which was written in undue haste by the Prime Minister to woo the Tory right wing.

Of course we can make trade deals with the rest of the world, but where is the evidence that this would bring a net benefit over where we are now? It’s hard to imagine that we wouldn’t be screwed by the USA, who are well aware of our desperation to secure a deal. Who would make the rules for this new deal? Not the UK. Japan has already declared that it would take at least five years to negotiate a trade deal.

For the economic health of the UK, moderates, please do your duty and get us out of this mess.

Mike Underwood
Linlithgow

READ MORE: Downing Street denies existence of secret plot for a second Brexit referendum​

LAST Monday George Kerevan urged Derek Mackay “to tell the truth: if you want schools and hospitals, you have to pay for them” (Here’s how the £1bn Barnett boost can be used best for Scots, December 10). Much, much better to say “if WE want.....”. Surely politicians (like preachers!) should be aware of this.

Jim MacEwan
Nethy Bridge

READ MORE: Here’s how the £1bn Barnett boost can be used best for Scots​