YP Letters: Any Scots referendum vote must be one for all UK citizens

Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May at their meeting on Monday to discuss Brexit and Scottish independence.

I SHARE the greatest concern at the suggestion of another referendum for Scotland to leave the UK with voting restricted only to those living in Scotland.

Any such referendum instigated by the Scottish Parliament must not be allowed by the British Parliament to become a binding commitment.

England is the home of countless Scottish people, just as Scotland has many English residents and workers who must be equally concerned. Any voting on this opinion must include the whole of the UK population.

Any such action – as proposed by Nicola Sturgeon – must surely not be a political option since it concerns breaking up the United Kingdom which is the realm of the Queen, not Parliament. Has she even offered a vote to the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh, or considered her family’s devotion to Scotland?

Our strength, history and worldwide respect over centuries stems from this unity and it is not for any passing politician to destroy for her own vanity. Her proposals equate to treason.

From: Edward Grainger, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough.

WHATEVER the final outcome of the media standoff between Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon, the fact is that Yorkshire and the North East could do with their own female firebrand to fight for increased investment in areas such as education, transport, jobs and skills, if we are not to be left behind to an even greater extent than what we are now compared to London and the South East.

A politician with some influence could well shake the Westminster government out of its complacency.

From: Allan Davies, Heathfield Court, Augusta Park, Grimsby.

MR Dobson’s letter (The Yorkshire Post, March 23) is far from convincing. First, I am well aware that the referendum was not a ringing endorsement to remain in the EU. Indeed, it was partly an endorsement of any course of action and advice. Unlike the outcome of a General Election, it cannot be challenged for many years. That is the real concern, like the 1975 referendum, a decision has been taken by a minority of the entire electorate.

Moreover, our ‘first past the post’ system is flawed for the outcome is determined by ‘swing’ voters in not more than about 20 per cent of the constituencies.

To compare the referendum results with such a system makes little sense. What is really of concern is the very idea of a referendum itself.