I AGREE with Peter A Bell (Website comments, January 18) that independence is not inevitable. It may happen, but not without enormous effort. We must never doubt that the British state will do whatever it can, whatever it takes, to preserve its precious Union.

It didn’t rule half the world for nothing, or by accident, and it’s not about to give up its last colonies without a serious fight.

A Section 30 order? Aye, very funny. With every Unionist politician arguing against another referendum? Please don’t hold your breath.

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Of course, the British state will have its place-men, and place-women, located well in advance. It’s always best if the fingerprints are, or at least look, Scottish, and it will use whatever other opportunities come along. It’s also good for the Union if people on the other side start fighting, or at least sniping at, each other, rather than focusing on the real issues. Sturgeon versus Salmond? That’s brilliant! Unfortunately, British-engineered attacks are a real issue if only because of their effects. We can’t stop them happening, we can only keep on fighting through.

There’s also propaganda, big and small. Perhaps the small stuff is more effective in undermining confidence, and it’s not just the BBC that does a grand job there.

Fewer Covid tests than England!

More drug-deaths than any other country!

What a bunch of losers.

In case folk think I’m a newcomer, I joined the SNP 55 years ago. I might have joined sooner, but in those days we didn’t get the vote till we were 21 so I waited, then looked at all the parties, and chose independence. We expected foreign interference, but perhaps not so many dirty tricks.

With respect and understanding to the new independence parties, I intend voting SNP 1 and 2, to help keep those numbers as high as possible.

Bill Craig
via email