SSP backs independence move BBC

Letters to the Herald

Welcome for an Independence Convention

THE SSP's proposed Independence Convention is a welcome development in the continuing evolution of post-devolution Scottish politics. The sovereigntist parties would do well to come together under such an umbrella. Why not even field joint candidates for Westminster elections under the Scottish Sovereigntist banner?

This is the formula that took the Bloc Québécois so far in the 1990s.

The SNP needs to accept that it is no longer the sole party of the Scottish national movement. Other options for those who believe in Scottish sovereignty now exist. This is a welcome, if unintended, consequence of Holyrood's electoral system. Two parallel sets of political parties are evolving, one Unionist and the other Sovereigntist. Labour/Liberals/Tories versus the SSP/Greens/SNP, currently a 60-40 split.

When I emigrated 15 years ago, I would not have thought this degree of progress possible. The political establishment obviously never thought so, too. I wager this is the real reason why changes to Holyrood's electoral system are now being discussed.

David Young, 4285 St Rte 681N, Albany, OH 45710, USA.


AS a member of the SNP I welcome the idea of a convention for independence, just as I welcomed the commitment of the SSP and the Green Party to independence several years ago. The more people across the political spectrum espouse the cause of freedom for Scotland, the better.

John Swinney is entitled to be canny about the convention idea, at present, because his party has not committed itself to take part. I hope that it makes such a commitment at its conference in four weeks' time. To seek the widest possible support for independence has always been the attitude of the SNP, in my experience (I joined in 1959). A convention will allow each party or participating organisation to contribute to the discussions without compromising its own policies.

Agreement among the participants on the route to independence and on the constitution of a free and independent Scotland would surely be a major step towards that honourable and democratic aim. Another aspect of the convention which I would welcome is the participation of citizens who are not at present members of any party. None of us has a monopoly when it comes to the aspirations and interests of the people of Scotland.

William Wolfe, 17 Limekilnburn Road, Quarter, Hamilton.