I WRITE in reply to Julian Smith’s letter of March 9. This navel-gazing that is going on about the second vote and maximising the number of MSPs is a total distraction, and to be honest I believe that it is very probably an idea that has been planted by Unionists trying to divide and disrupt the indy movement.

It does not matter how many MSPs we get in Holyrood, what we need is for the indy vote to be greater than 50%. Even if we get 100 MSPs but only 49% of the vote, it will be cast back at us as a minority for independence.

READ MORE: Letters: Plan for SNP majority as mandate for independence won’t work

It is quite obvious that what we need to be spending our time doing is converting folk to Yes, but whilst you are busy thinking about the second vote all you are doing is moving the deckchairs around on the Titanic. Forget reorganising the existing Yes voters and go out and get some new Yes voters. If we achieve 51% of the vote for indy parties we will certainly have a majority of MSPs, but more importantly we will have demonstrated to the world that Scotland has a majority for independence.

Quite frankly, anyone who is thrusting the second vote issue down your throat and then expecting you to give them your vote is an opportunist trying to gain from this confusion and distracting people away from the task of converting soft Nos to Yes.

Neil Morison
Kyle of Lochalsh

THIS current health crisis has been analysed and “objectively” slotted so far into neat phases by the experts and delineated in news conferences.

Two terms have been expounded to indicate how one can in lock-step tackle the problem, namely “containment” and if that fails then “delay” so that we are given time to meet the post-delay chaos which will ensue. All sounds neat and self-evident.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Ban on buffet food imposed in Scotland

It is obvious that viruses and patterns of passing on infection do not follow these neat, logical steps. The initial two-step construct sounds reassuring and has some inner logic to it, but it merely masks the uncertainty surrounding the whole scenario except that there is already “empirical” evidence available about to do in a phase three, namely the measures taken in Italy. When pressed on this, the PM and the Health Secretary in England prevaricate and do not spell out any next steps.

Is it that there is the British Brexiteer spirit of splendid isolation around that shuns Continental practice, or are the authorities in Cobra simply paralysed and stunned at the magnitude of the impending problem? Quick one-liners and folksy turns of phrase will not be enough.

More detailed information about the infrastructural measures needed to deal with a post-delay “Italian” phase of this crisis must surely be worked out by now and outlined. Or is this too much for Cummings?

The glib turns of phase like “containment” and then “delay” if containment fails are semantically meaningless unless backed up with details of actual outcomes, numbers and implications for everyday life.

The Scottish Chief Medical Officer has suggested that 4% of people affected, about two million, could need hospital treatment. It was reported that at the news conference the PM’s response was simply that the NHS would continue to do a good job.

It seems at the strategic level within Cobra there is, as yet, no detailed information being given out as to the implications of this in terms of scale and differentiated response.

John Edgar
Kilmaurs

OUR new Chancellor Rishi Sunak is going to give the NHS “whatever it needs” to fight the coronavirus. “The economy is in a good place, we will get through this”. Oh whoopee! No need to worry then?

How often have we heard those or similar words from our Tory masters? The NHS needs a strong economy, implying the profits made will be reinvested in a strong public sector, allowing the NHS to flourish. Unfortunately in reality only the minimum finances trickle down, with most profits being retained by dividend holders or ending up in offshore accounts.

READ MORE: Coronavirus Live: Number of Scottish cases increase to 27

The economy NEEDS A STRONG NHS! Because of the continued neglect of the NHS and now the increased demands of the coronavirus, the NHS and the economy could be under unprecedented pressure. Already the government are announcing plans to introduce final-year medical students to deal with the pressures. Or to ask retired elderly nurses (the most vulnerable to catch the virus!) to fill the breach. How ridiculous! If only it had been properly financed in the first place. Businesses are bracing themselves for higher rates of absences and staff shortages, leading to possible closures and failure. I know I can’t blame the Tory government for the virus but I can’t emphasise enough how much better a stronger NHS would be coping if it hadn’t been neglected for so long.

I hope Boris will learn some lessons but I doubt it. Once the epidemic is over he will no doubt go back to his old selfish ways and provide the basic finances, thus marginalising our wonderful NHS yet again!

Robin MacLean
Fort Augustus

WEE Ginger Dug is yet again on top form. Yesterday’s column was not only pitch perfect, it was also one of his most amusing (The bankruptcy of British nationalism is all around. March 10). Can I suggest that in seeking a replacement for Rennie, the threadbare LibDems should stipulate that only failed politicians should apply? My two most endearing memories of “Oor Wullie” are when he shared the screen with two affectionate pigs and when he was mauled by a randy ram in Kelty, Fife.

Joe Cowan
Balmedie

READ MORE: Wee Ginger Dug: British nationalism's bankruptcy is all around us​

MICHAEL Gove advises the Electoral Commission that “there is no lawful referendum on Scottish independence in prospect”. Is he not aware that democracy is never illegal? Oops, I forgot, he’s a Tory.

M Ross
Aviemore