THE very public fall-out between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon has elicited a myriad of different reactions, ranging from shock, dismay, surprise, glee (among the opposition parties) and even ridicule. But what it has not done at this point in time is to diminish support for the SNP. Quite the opposite in fact. It has served to remind us of the positive contributions of both leaders over the past 20 years and the excellent achievements of the SNP during that time.

Most people I have spoken to have taken sides in this dispute, often with much enthusiasm but in some cases with very little understanding of the issues involved. Some see it as a battle of the Titans; David v Goliath. Big Ek in one corner, Mr SNP himself, who has brought a fringe party with only two MPs remaining after the 1979 debacle to within a whisker of obtaining independence. And in the other corner wee Nicky, who had achieved worldwide acclaim for the way she has dealt with the present pandemic in Scotland.

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But that is today. We are now awaiting the result of two separate inquiries: did Nicola mislead the Scottish Parliament, and to what extent did parliament mishandle the complaints against Alex Salmond? The result of these will almost certainly have a seismic effect on the election in May and in the long term on the future of the SNP.

The Tory party is, not surprisingly, dancing in the streets with jubilation. They eagerly anticipate the prospect of Nicola Sturgeon’s downfall and with it, once for all, the final demise of indyref2. But in their inimitable short-sightedness they may have overlooked two salient factors.

In the first place, they completely ignore the fact that there are several groups of people, very much still in their embryo, who are dedicated to the idea that Scotland can prosper and flourish as an independent nation. These groups may easily combine and go from strength to strength, as happened in the wake of 1979. Secondly. They have been far too quick to dismiss Alex Salmond as yesterday’s man. To them he is no longer a threat.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon rips into Ruth Davidson over peerage

Just like the Ghost of Roger Casement in WB Yeats’s memorable poem of that name, the spirit of independence may come “beating on the door”. Yeats’s ghost was much more than a shadowy spirit – it symbolised something far greater, far more important to the people of Ireland. Likewise, in Scotland today, the need, the urge, the overwhelming desire to rid ourselves of the shackles of Westminster, far outweighs the petty squabbles which have recently beset the party. It is perhaps not too far-fetched a parallel to suggest that the Ghost of Alex Salmond may come knocking on Boris Johnson’s door and Scotland will rise and be a nation again.

Jim Towers
via email

WHAT political sense and logic there was in Pete Wishart’s article “Holyrood election is not a de facto vote on indyref2” (February 17). To any Yes supporter who may be swayed or influenced by views of the Holyrood election being won by the SNP as a plebiscite for independence, Pete offers clarity.

READ MORE: Pete Wishart: Holyrood election is not a de facto vote on indyref2

May’s election (whether or not we would like it to be otherwise) is primarily to elect a government that will address, propose and legislate for all the issues pertinent to the wellbeing and advancement of our nation. Citizens see that as a basic requirement of any government they put in power. All those who vote SNP are well aware of the policy foundation of that party, but also understand that they are electing a competent administration first and foremost.

To link the election of an SNP government as being the majority view of the Scottish people for independence is disrespectful to the electors and folly in its assumption. A legal referendum is where self-determination will be decided by our citizens in full knowledge of the matter before them.

Bobby Brennan
Glasgow

ONCE again political opponents and those in the media, when seeking to criticise the First Minster, demonstrate neither shame nor memory. Nicola Sturgeon refuses to announce an end date for the Covid restrictions because she sensibly refuses to make it up.

In a more rational world, the media would be challenging Boris Johnson over his June 21 pronouncement. After all, last spring he declared the country would see off the virus in 12 weeks. Then he announced it would be “by September”. Subsequently, this became life beginning to return to normal by November – then by Christmas. After that, Johnson told us it would be “inhuman” for people to have their Christmas arrangements ruined. Every single “end date” missed.

I would far rather have the realistic caution of the First Minister than the deluded optimism of Johnson that has been consistently wrong.

Gavin Brown
Linlithgow

BORIS Johnson says “data not dates” then gives a list of dates. Is his new senior adviser named Homer Simpson?

M Ross
Aviemore

BRUCE Crawford MSP is correct that there needs to be a radical transformation of Scotland’s tax system if we want to make real changes to society and tackle youth unemployment or poverty. It’s not good enough to simply replicate the failing UK tax system or continue with the farce where the Queen and her cronies pay peanuts.

READ MORE: MSPs call on Government to consider tax reform to aid pandemic recovery

It’s time to take a real look at land tax as at least an option in a basket of taxes, if not as a replacement for all taxes. I’ve mentioned before the excellent work of Graeme McCormick and his proposals for an Annual Ground Floor & Roof Rent. It’s proposals like this from longstanding SNP members that the Scottish Government should be looking at, not the same old, same old from the BritNat establishment. If we’re serious about independence it has to mean change and a fairer, stronger nation, not simply a copy of the failed economics and politics of Westminster.

Councillor Kenny MacLaren
Paisley