SIR, – On September 18, 2014, Scotland voted to remain part of the UK. On page 60 of 'Scotland's Future' the SNP Government gave an assessment of the consequences of a No vote.

Here the they warned what was likely happen to happen with regards to Brexit: "The serious possibility that Scotland will be forced to leave the EU against the wishes of the people of Scotland" (Scotland's Future, page 60, paragraph 5).

Despite this possibility, both Alec Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon gave a vow that should Scotland vote to remain part of the UK, then the SNP Government would not call for another referendum for at least a generation.

I recall Nicola Sturgeon stating that she would hold any politician's "feet to the fire" to ensure they kept to vows made during the campaign. Who will hold her well shod feet to the fire?

It is little wonder public trust in politicians is at an all time low. The double standards of the SNP leadership, who now want another referendum, is divisive and is damaging to Scotland's economy.

The rest of the UK are getting utterly fed up with the SNP's 'Neverendum'. The SNP come across as a bunch of whinging Scots who just want to erect new borders between Scotland and England.

I fear a public backlash south of the Border where the Scotch and Scottish brand risk becoming toxic. Some supermarkets already refuse to put the Scottish flag on fresh produce being sold in England in case customers refuse to buy.

I also fear for our leading research institutes such as the James Hutton in Dundee. The director in 2014 was Professor Ian Gordon who told me that the spectre of Independence was making it harder to recruit the best people and also risked reduced funding.

Of course, the SNP Government decision to ban all cultivation of GM crops in Scotland means that the Hutton is banned from testing gene edited crops outside in strictly controlled and secure sites. Hence the funding goes to England instead to the likes of The John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory.

If Theresa May was ever to agree to another referendum on Scottish Independence my advice would this:-

The question on the ballot should be 'Do you want Scotland to remain part of the UK ?' In other words a Yes vote is for the status quo . And for the No vote to win it must be by a clear majority of all those eligible to vote in Scotland, not just those who vote on the day.

The best option is, of course, not to have any vote for a generation. Brexit is far too important for SNP political mischiefmaking.

Gordon Rennie

Stenton

St Monans

Fife