I AGREE very much with Denis White’s argument (Letters, October 17) that “pro-Union voters here would boycott a General Election in which pro-independence parties stood on a clear ticket of independence ... at their peril”.

However, that would not be the only course of action open to them. They could stand in each constituency a sole candidate for the Union from the party holding the seat, or, in most seats, most likely to defeat an incumbent SNP member.

Would they do this? Do the Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat parties have the humility or the moderation to do this, even for their beloved Union? This would be a particularly difficult decision for them if, at UK level, the outcome of the election was likely to be very close, or at least highly uncertain. Would Conservative or Labour, in particular, simply walk away from seats when every seat may be critical?

But, if they chose not to stand “Union” candidates then the Unionist vote would be split and a majority of MPs committed to the manifesto pledge of negotiating independence would be more likely to be elected.

So, do they have the qualities necessary to sink their other differences to protect the United Kingdom? I don’t pretend to know the answer to this question, and I also doubt if at this point they know that either. It does, though, seem clear to me that to stand candidates in a General Election on an independence negotiation ticket would put the Unionist side between the biggest rock and the hardest place.

That alone is surely a reason to implement that strategy when next Westminster says: “Now is not the time”.

Alasdair Galloway
Dumbarton

READ MORE: Letters: So what if the Unionists boycotted an election?​

I WAS rather bemused by the rank hypocrisy of a tweet from the UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, commenting that we “must not forget the heart-breaking famine in Yemen”.

It should be noted that the UK has nearly doubled the value of arms sales to countries on the government’s own list of human rights abusers in the past year.

This includes sales to Saudi Arabia, currently embroiled in a bloody conflict in Yemen against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The conflict has seen thousands of civilians killed and millions left in need of aid.

It has been estimated that these arms sales totalled £1.13 billion.

At this very moment UK-made fighter jets and bombs are playing a central role in the Saudi-led destruction of Yemen, and the government and arms companies have totally failed to monitor or evaluate how this deadly equipment is being used.

Given the impact they are having, there should be an immediate suspension of arms exports by the UK Government. What Yemen needs is a ceasefire, a political settlement and food aid, not more bombing.

The rank hypocrisy of the UK Government and Mr Hunt, happy to cry crocodile tears over the loss of life in Yemen, while actively selling arms which are creating such hardship, is truly appalling.

Alex Orr
Edinburgh

THE most important thing in the coming months is to encourage previous and current No voters to think through issues and reconsider their intentions. Letters such as Hector MacLean replying to David Cox (Letters, October 17) are not helpful, coming across as smug and elitist.

If we want to convince people, pointing fingers at them to blame them for putting us in the current position is potentially counter-productive.

Let’s instead have a good debate and be more welcoming – there are many people who have legitimate concerns and it is surely best to address these.

Gordon Gallacher
Strathpeffer

READ MORE: Letters: All Scots have a duty to examine the case for Yes​

READER Hamish MacQueen names three correspondents who allegedly want “to hold a referendum in the very near future” (Letters, October 15). My name is included. I have to say – again – it wisnae me!

Although I had a letter published on the day in question, it was not about a referendum date.

The reason I say “again” is that about three weeks ago a different correspondent wrongly named me in a letter. Is this a coincidence or is there something special about my name?

I know that Morton is a special name in Scottish history. The Mortons have provided a Regent and a football team. They are a sept of the Clan Douglas and I understand that over the years when feuds and wars took place in Scotland, the Douglas clan invariably chose the winning side. I can only hope my conversion to the independence cause does not detract from this record.

Douglas Morton
Lanark

READ MORE: Letters, October 15

THERE has been much discussion recently about Scotland taking responsibility for her involvement in slavery. Descendants of those who benefited from slavery should make reparation. This should not, however, be the responsibility of the whole of the Scottish nation.

During the 19th century most workers were beholden to their employers for their homes and livelihood.

In the 20th century when Glasgow was “The Workhouse of the World”, and the second city of the British Empire, great fortunes were made by the owners of businesses. The world’s shipping was centred on the Clyde and Springburn produced the great railway engines, yet the people who actually built these wonders were living in damp, overcrowded hovels.

Glasgow still has the most deprived areas in the UK. How can this be? Were the Scots on tiny wages not slaves too?

Margaret Pennycook
Glasgow