On the issue of an English referendum - I don't think England can kick Scotland out of the Union (just as Scotland can't kick England out) but England could of course vote for their own independence just as I hope Scotland will. On whether this should be a UK or just Scotland referendum I suppose I would compare it to a marriage, one party can leave without the consent of the other, although you can also have situations where the two parties (and there were only two parties to the Act of Union in 1707) agree amicably to separate.

Mike, Glasgow, Scotland

Tibet will become a difficult issue for the British Government if it denies a referendum to the Scottish people...

Laura Fox, Chichester, Sussex

Quote/ “The main objection to holding a referendum in Scotland is that less than a year ago there was an election in Scotland, where two thirds of voters voted for parties who want Scotland to remain part of the UK.” \Unquote

Obfuscation at its worst; whilst is reasonable to say that al SNP supporters favour Independence it is totally untrue to say that ALL Pro- Independence supporters vote or even support the SNP. There are Independence supporters in all political parties. The Labour need to be reminded that “Home Rule for Scotland” was a founding policy of their party and remained a policy until the 50’s, when the London Centric element took control and removed it from the Scottish Labour Parties policy.

The proof of the pudding remains in the fact that the Unionist parties are afraid to put the question to the test. The longer they wait the more time the SNP have to demonstrate the potential benefits of Independence.

Sanny, Glasgow, Scotland

Sorry Tom, you may be the richest man in Scotland but when it comes to politics your money counts for nothing.

In the UK its possible to buy Honours and even Questions in Parliament but your money can't buy a change in strategy.

The politicians are just to well remunerated these days to take a brown envelope to support a strategy that might result in their snout being excluded from the trough.

Callum Roxburgh, Jakarta, Indonesia

How about a referendum on an English parliament before Scotland gets another bite of the cherry.

Given the opportunity the English might yet be the ones to deliver Scottish independence, and in a manner most embarrassing for the Scots.

Gareth Young, Lewes, England

Let the entire United Kingdom have a referendum on Scottish independence. The overwhelming majority in England would be in favour of giving it to the Scots.

Roy Race, Bratislava,

To correct one point, Alex Salmond has stated that a simple Yes/No referendum is the SNP government's preference. However, if the unionist review of Holyrood were to propose further devolved powers, these could be put to the people in a multi option referendum alongside the status quo and independence.

Malcolm, London,

John, London - you obviously know as much about Scotland's current economic poistion as you do about the Darien venture which was 100 years ealrier than you suggest.

Mike, Glasgow, Scotland

Do the scottish realise how deeply unpopular they are in England. I would as an Englishman be happy to vote for their exit. This is not just a scottish issue its a union.

Adrian, London,

We should also vote whether we want Scotland too. Since we've paid for them ever since buying a bancrupt Scotland for £1 after the Darien Colonies fiasco in the 1790's our payments have earned the right to vote too.

John, London, UK

Scotland could claim independence from the UK, like Kosovo. There is no need to get the cabinet's agreement.

bob, aberdeen, Scotland

Can we vote in england to kick scotland out?

Even more important when do we get engliash only votes for english only matters?

Or does the 80% majority not matter in this day and age of minoritys only?

Mr W Jones, Liverpool, England

The referendum on this issue should take place across the whole of the UK. I am fairly sure Scotland would then gain independence if only because of the vote from England. The people of Scotland must be fed up of hearing what a drain they are on England, yet at the same time being denied independence.

tony wood, London, UK

So Labour's plan to beat the SNP is to rebrand themselves 'socialists', talk of 'redistribution of wealth', label the SNP 'tartan Tories' and 'Thatcherite' and prime their media mates to convince us all that the conversion is a real one, that Labour are on the way back, the tide is turning. But Wendy's conversion smacks of style over substance. Why has it taken so long to discover (I won't say recover) her socialist roots? And how will it go down with the right wing press who up until now were happy to support anyone who indulges in a bit of nat-bashing?

After brand Blair, the politics of focus-groups and marketing campaigns, can we really be sure this is not just another feel-good campaign? Labour have not been socialist for years. I.D. cards. Iraq. British pledges of allegiance. Allowing chosen worthies to debate and decide Scotland's constitutional future without putting anything they come up with to a referendum. Is this Labour's new socialism? There may still be those in the party who warm to any mention of Keir Hardy but grant the rest of us our cynicism, we're probably right. Wendy would have us believe she stands for the disposessed. And where was she for the last ten years? This is no more than one last spin for labour. Now sit back and watch it fall apart. Again.

Gregor Addison, Glasgow, Scotland