Why are Lib-Dems denying Scots a choice?

LibDem leader Nicol Stephen states categorically that he is not in favour of independence for Scotland; nor is he in favour of a referendum on independence. I can understand the first part of his statement. For many years his party has argued for a system of federal regions throughout the UK, although it is now clear that this is never going to happen.

The concept has virtually no support in England and was recently rejected by the north-east (in a referendum, by the way). The policy would also mean Scotland becoming the seventh or eighth "region" of the UK, an even more demeaning status than the present half-way house.

But why should the Liberal Democrat party also oppose the liberal and democratic idea of the Scottish people deciding for themselves if they want Scotland to be an independent nation again? After all, the LibDems actively supported the devolution referendum 10 years ago and earlier the UK referendum on joining the EEC.

Both of these were recognised as major constitutional issues that should not be decided only by politicians. A decision on independence for Scotland is also a major constitutional decision and should be made by all the people.

Nicol Stephen and his party are perfectly entitled to dislike the idea of independence and to campaign against it in the run-up to a referendum. But they are not entitled to deny a sovereign people the final say in their own future. They should remember that all politicians are elected to serve the people, not to rule them.

Iain A D Mann, 7 Kelvin Court, Glasgow.

Your editorial on the prospect of an SNP administration agreeing to a referendum which includes a sop to the Liberal Democrats of including an option of simply "more" powers for the Scottish Parliament misses a key point.A referendum with a single question on independence comes with the right to secede from the UK if a positive vote were to be won.

This principle is enshrined in international and EU law and politicians such as David Cameron and Douglas Alexander have acknowledged that victory in such a plebiscite would decide the matter.

A victory for the "more powers" camp, on the other hand, would be pointless, as the Scottish Parliament does not have the right under any law simply to demand "more" powers from Westminster, which could simply say no. Any multi-option poll would be muddied in confusion and its result ambiguous. The SNP should stick to its guns and after 300 years of a Union that no-one voted for, give Scots a clear choice of yes or no to independence and nothing less.

Gavin Fleming, 517 Webster's Land, Grassmarket, Edinburgh.

Does the SNP think the rest of the UK is going to sit back and wait for Scotland to take three years for us to make a decision on independence? This will have a direct effect on them with regards to defence, inward investment, foreign policy, etc.

If the SNP won I would expect the other nations in the UK to demand a referendum immediately to stop the uncertainty.

Andy Moffat, 52 Bradda Avenue, Rutherglen.