SO Michael Russell returns to the Scottish Cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations.

Those wondering about what this role could entail should look at his recent comments on the likelihood of a second referendum, in which he said he thought it “inevitable”, and that it could be about independence, Brexit, or both. This suggests the SNP might be moving towards more formally directly linking the two issues of Scottish independence and EU membership, even contemplating finding a way to get them both onto one ballot paper, whether with two questions, or even a hybrid question combining them.

As Iain Macwhirter points out, the First Minister might find herself facing the electorate’s ire if it does not want to be dragged back into another divisive campaign and referendum vote (“Gamble in SNP asking voters too many complex questions”, The Herald, June 27).

As substantial as the minorities that lost the 2014 and 2016 referendums were, there is every possibility that those agitating for referendum reruns will find out the hard way what the people think of being told that they got it wrong last time.

Keith Howell,

White Moss, West Linton,

Peeblesshire.

THE SNP should be celebrating Brexit as it is the one bright star on its independence horizon. (“SNP chief: Our priority is a second independence referendum, not new EU vote”, The Herald, June 28.) Should a new EU vote take place, it will be at the behest of the Remainers. If they win this theoretical vote the SNP’s cause celebre, that Scotland voted to remain but is being “dragged out of Europe”, will be no more.

In that case, where will the justification for another independence referendum be at all? Scotland is being administered by a government that has a penchant for picking the wrong horse. The first independence referendum, the Young Persons Act, the Education Bill, Curriculum for Excellence, the Offensive Behaviourat Football Act and a single police force are testament to the SNP’s muddled thinking. Nicola Sturgeon has seen her party drop down the polls for very obvious reasons.

The “refreshing” reshuffle will throw up more problems. Too many of the new appointees only entered Holyrood in 2016 so how much experience can they bring to the job? One, Gillian Martin, has already been dropped from the Government’s list of new ministers over an “offensive and inappropriate” blog.

The push for a second referendum has to be seen as a last-gasp SNP attempt to revive its fortunes; hence the Westminster farce, not supporting the Heathrow runway and the “power grab” that are all manifestations of contrived grievance. When bereft of ideas, the SNP falls back to its core position. This might please its few thousand flag waving marchers but how many key swing voters will be impressed? Very few.

Dr Gerald Edwards,

Broom Road, Glasgow.

AS time begins to run out for Prime Minister Theresa May to secure a Brexit deal, and the EU Withdrawal Bill receives Royal Assent, it is clear that the tide of public opinion is beginning to turn against Brexit.

As we mark two years since the Brexit referendum, the most recent polling shows a clear majority in favour of wanting to remain in the EU. This is hardly a surprise. A report from the Centre for European Reform has highlighted that the economy is two per cent smaller than it would have been had Britain not voted for Brexit. This equates to a hit to public finances of £23 billion a year, or £440m a week.

It is hardly a coincidence that, since the referendum, the UK has dropped below Italy to become the slowest-growing economy in the G7. It is also clearly no fluke that the UK motor industry has seen investment halve in the first half of this year, according to the latest research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Just £347.3m has been earmarked for new models, equipment and facilities in the UK, around half the sum in the same period in 2017.

It is also clearly not a coincidence that BMW, Siemens and Airbus have warned of the dire implications of Brexit on their businesses, with threats to relocate.

With 48% of voters saying they want a second poll on the final deal the Prime Minister negotiates with the EU, compared to just 25% who disagree, two years on from the referendum the public call for such a vote is clear.

There are few who voted for Brexit in the belief that it would make them poorer. The politicians will, one would anticipate, deliver some sort of Brexit deal. It is up to the public to give its view on whether the deal, and more importantly its implications, are what it wants.

Alex Orr,

Flat 2, 77 Leamington Terrace,

Edinburgh.