Ian Bell says not every voter wants to be on one side or the other, in reference to Scottish Labour and Scottish LibDems being open to differing views on independence within their parties (The benefits of a debate without cynicism, Comment, September 27).
Equally, while the SNP have been on a wave of popularity of late, they are unlikely to avoid the laws of political gravity for too much longer. Eventually, like many before, they will find disappointing performance in office catching up with them. Even the most enthusiastic supporters eventually recognise failure to deliver.
Some might wonder if a referendum re-run without a Better Together coalition might favour the SNP, but I doubt it. With the opportunity to each convey their own distinctive and separate Labour, LibDem and Conservative narratives about the benefits of Scotland being in the UK, they could yet prove to be more formidable opponents than the SNP buoyed by recent successes can imagine.
As Nicola Sturgeon considers when best to push the button, she knows the tide must turn against the SNP before too long, and meanwhile each of her opponents is starting on the road to recovery.
Keith Howell
West Linton
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