Following comments from MP’s stating that they have had no contact from constituents concerning the potential for a referendum on Scottish independence I decided I would do just that … oh, I also thought that I might raise the issue of Ms Alexander’s and Master Cairns comments from my last post.

First up is Karen Gillon, my local MSP for Clydesdale.

Dear Ms Gillon

I write to you on this occasion following a remark made by a Labour MP in Westminster, I’m afraid his name escapes me at this time although it is irrelevant in any case. The remark made was to the effect that he had not been approached in any way by any of his constituents in regard to a desire for a referendum to be held on the issue of an independent Scotland, I wish to make my position clear – as your constituent. I, like many others, am in favour of a referendum on Scottish Independence

Whilst I doubt that, as a Labour MSP, you would pursue this option I would ask that you give the issue serious consideration (as you no doubt already have).  It is likely that a referendum is inevitable as the issue gathers momentum and, regardless of views, there seems to be a willingness amongst the people of Scotland to settle this issue one way or the other

Should a referendum occur it is my opinion that it must be a single option (’yes’ or ‘no’) question in order that the outcome be beyond question or reproach, it is doubtful that a multi-option referendum would provide such a clear outcome.

I have been disappointed by Labour’s reaction to the Scottish Government’s ‘National Conversation’ and its attempts to sideline this through the establishment of the ‘Constitutional Commission’ which fails to represent the views of a large proportion of the Scottish electorate. 

It strikes me that all political parties should be participating in this debate, in a single forum, in order that the issues, arguments, and positions may be fully aired and discussed with full and free public access.  Arguably you have a responsibility to your constituents to participate regardless of your party’s position on the matter.

Further to, and in relation to this, I also feel compelled to inform you of my disgust for the language used by both Wendy Alexander and David Cairns in relation to those who either wish independence or who are participating in the Scottish Government’s National Conversation.

The notion that I (and others), as a occasional participants on the on-line forum of the ‘National Conversation’, are some sort of flag burning, swivel-eyed, bigoted, lunatics is grossly insulting and Ms Alexander and Master Cairns observations are both misguided and offensive

I would be interested to hear your views on these matters, not least of all on the issue of the referendum and if you concur with Ms Alexander’s and Master Cairns’ opinion of your constituents

I look forward to reading your response in the near future. 

Yours sincerely

Alasdair Martin – a constituent

A similar, although not identical, letter for David Mundell MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

Dear Mr Mundell

I write to you on this occasion following a remark made by a Labour MP in Westminster, I’m afraid his name escapes me at this time although it is irrelevant in any case. The remark made was to the effect that he had not been approached in any way by any of his constituents in regard to a desire for a referendum to be held on the issue of an independent Scotland, I wish to make my position clear – as your constituent.  I, like many others, am in favour of a referendum on Scottish Independence.

Whilst I doubt, as a Conservative MP, that you would pursue this option I would ask that you give the issue serious consideration (as you no doubt already have).  It is likely that a referendum is inevitable as the issue gathers momentum and, regardless of views, there seems to be a willingness amongst the people of Scotland to settle this issue one way or the other.

I don’t doubt that you would agree that the political landscape in Scotland was changed significantly following last May’s election and with the SNP in power the question of independence has been placed squarely on the agenda for the duration.

The reaction of Labour and the other unionist parties in Scotland is not helping the situation to be resolved in any meaningful way and the Labour party’s ‘constitutional commission’ makes a mockery of the debate by ignoring the central issue and the views of a great swathe of the electorate.

Whilst the Scottish Government’s ‘National Conversation’ isn’t without fault it is the most engaged that the electorate have been in a great length of time. It has had a lot of bias levelled at it, although to be honest I haven’t really seen it, if there is bias then it is because Scotland’s other parties are failing to participate.

It strikes me that all political parties should be participating in this debate, in a single forum, in order that the issues, arguments, and positions may be fully aired and discussed with full and free public access.  Arguably you have a responsibility to your constituents to participate regardless of your party’s position on the matter.

Wendy Alexander and David Cairns have essentially labelled participants of the ‘National Conversation’ as flag-burning, swivel-eyed, bigoted lunatics. I wonder if this is a view you or your party share, or if you might wish to comment on whether or not you believe that this is language becoming of elected representatives.

I would be very interested to hear your views on the issues above (primarily on a referendum for Scottish Independence and the Constitutional Commission), and look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours sincerely

Alasdair Martin – a constituent

If I get a response I’ll be sure to post it up, in the meantime I would encourage others who may be interested in a Referendum on Scottish Independence to do the same to their own MP and MSP.

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