I MUST admit to some sympathy with Alex Neil’s attitude on keeping the two questions of independence and EU membership separate (“Neil calls for separate votes on leaving UK and joining EU”, The Herald, March 23).

The importance of EU membership to the independence debate is surely that it is the final, incontrovertible evidence that, in contradiction of the promises of 2014, Westminster does not listen to Scotland’s voice, however strong, and we are not treated as the “equal partners” then touted. If the wishes of 62 per cent of those voting are ignored, even after a further promise from Theresa May that she will not proceed to Article 50 without the agreement of all parts of the UK, then we have no democratic input worth tuppence to Westminster decisions. Without independence, we can never affect any political decision that affects us.

So EU membership is a catalyst, not an essential element in the debate on independence, and need not impact directly on that. We should be concentrating on the most effective, and in my view only, way forward to reverse the democratic deficit that forces us to accept policies that are detrimental to Scotland. Without independence, we cannot stop the deportation of immigrants who have, at their own expense, come to set up businesses, work in our under-staffed NHS and care services, pay taxes, benefit our economy and communities and help redress the balance of our population, nor stop the huge job losses imposed by the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Works and Pensions, nor the attacks on support for the disabled and vulnerable, etc.

If we concentrate on these reasons for seeking to manage our own affairs in the normal way of any other small country, while staying if possible fairly closely linked to the EU, we can afterwards turn our attention to EU membership and make our own decision on that. In that scenario, we will be able to consider the advantages or otherwise for Scotland of membership, and will have learned how to leave, if that is our wish, without the antagonism, grandstanding, confusion and problems involved in the current Tory-led process.

Let us have independence first, and then all other decisions are ours to make.

P Davidson,

Gartcows Road,

Falkirk.

CITIES across Europe, from Berlin to Bucharest, from Rome to Paris and including Edinburgh, will march today (March 25) to show their support for the European Union.

This day marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC), now the European Union, with the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The leaders of the EU’s 27 will celebrate in Rome, the UK not represented as it heads towards the Brexit cliff.

The Treaties of Rome are the landmark agreements which founded the European Union and paved the way towards the creation of a European single market, underpinned by democracy and the rule of law, and a continent-wide set of citizens' rights.

There are considerable challenges facing the EU. It is, however, well worth celebrating an unprecedented 60 years of peace, prosperity and co-operation in Europe.

The EU remains as relevant as ever. This voluntary union of independent countries allows trade free of any barrier with our neighbours, in the wealthiest and largest trading bloc in the world, and with some 50 other countries.

It means we can tackle global challenges like cyber-crime and climate change together - the only way such problems can be defeated. We enjoy rights and opportunities as EU citizens, whether it is the right to study, work or retire across our continent, to take part in collaborative research projects, or to access EU funds for investment in Scotland.

Tomorrow (March 26) the clocks go forward an hour, then they go back 60 years with the triggering of Article 50 on Wednesday, initiating the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

Alex Orr,

Board member, European Movement in Scotland, 91 George Street, Edinburgh.