THROUGHOUT the recent machinations, the huge Scottish political change and the biggest and friendliest SNP conference ever, make no mistake Scotland has found her voice. With the demise of Unionist MPs in Scotland the genie is well and truly out of the bottle and the derogatory voices of Darling, Forsyth, Alexander and others along with dear old Gordon Brown, are now just a cry in the wilderness.

The Tories exhalation of “One Nation” is a hollow myth. The erroneous concept, uttered continuously by David Cameron, that four nations make up the UK is only there to flatter. In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland there are in fact only two historic constituted nations, that of Scotland and England, since Wales is a Principality of England and Northern Ireland is a d Province of the UK. It follows that Britain is not a nation but a state composed of two sovereign nations, in free and equal union who may secede at the democratic will of the people.

As a young man in the 1950s it was accepted that if Scotland could ever send a majority of SNP MPs to Westminster, independence would follow. However, today it’s worth noting that it took a second referendum to secure a devolved Scottish Parliament and therefore the second independence referendum, in the course of time, will lead to independence.

Change is a natural part of life and indeed its very essence. CS Lewis put it in a nutshell: “It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird but how could it learn to fly if it remained in the egg?"

Grant Frazer,

Cruachan, Newtonmore.

AS an independence hard-liner, I understand and agree with Nicola Sturgeon's decision not to include a commitment to a second independence referendum in the SNP's manifesto for next year's Scottish Parliament elections (“Sturgeon plays down speculation over second vote on independence”, The Herald, October 16). Ms Sturgeon has her finger firmly on the Scottish pulse and in her conference speech she made her position crystal clear. There will not be a second referendum on independence until there is a significant shift in public opinion.

What could be more upfront than that? Keith Howell (Letters, October 16) and other Unionists should respect the First Minister's position. She, after all, has demonstrated her respect for theirs.

Ruth Marr,

99 Grampian Road, Stirling.

FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon is playing her cards very carefully in the matter of another independence referendum in the full knowledge that just over a year ago the Scottish electorate sent a loud and clear message to the SNP by saying No to independence.

Talk of yet another painful independence referendum will serve to anger the electorate and turn them against the SNP as it will be seen as a breach of promise on the agreed terms of the referendum.

Dennis Forbes Grattan,

3 Mugiemoss Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen.

THE statement by the First Minister that the Scottish Government will focus upon internal issues such as NHS Scotland, education, Police Scotland and our roads is reassuring, but we await results. This statement of intent is the closest we can expect to a confession of incompetence from and negligence by the SNP Government since it was formed.

William Durward,

20 South Erskine Park, Bearsden.

BRIAN Beacom commented on the shortage of theatrical dwarfs compromising future pantomime productions (“A panto problem that can dwarf all others, The Herald, October 9). Having watched the SNP conference in Aberdeen this week, I saw Snow White turn in a very polished stage performance with comic relief being provided by Dopey, Grumpy, Swinney, Dodgy, Lecky, Angry and Wistful.

Here is a rich source of pantomime characters for the future. Will Kezia get to go to the ball? Has Ruth got a magic evil mirror? Will acquiring magic beans provide us with a more realistic economic plan? Can Nicky find a golden egg-laying goose to fund her spending plans? Not to mention the unfolding saga of Ali Baba and the 56 MPs. I can hardly wait,

Russell Vallance,

4, West Douglas Drive, Helensburgh.

LIKE many, I suspect, I have found it difficult to understand why the SNP and its supporters continue to pursue independence in spite of the economic evidence that this will be to the detriment of the people of Scotland. However, one glance at the SNP constitution and all is explained. Point 2(a) is the pursuit of independence and point 2(b) is the furtherance of Scotland's interests.

It is actually written into its constitution that Scotland's wellbeing is of secondary importance to the SNP. Good to know.

Carole Ford,

132 Terregles Avenue, Glasgow.