Your comments are absolutely correct, It is very clear that the SNP lacks a vision that truly reflects all Scots who favour independence.

More interesting than Alec's spat with Mike Russell is the reason why Alec tried to block the publication of "Grasping the Thistle" in the first place. Its more than just the fact that Mike Russell was one of the authors, its probably more to do with the very ideas presented within the book itself.

Of course Alec will baulk at the central/right economic views of Dennis MacLeod, but at the real heart of the book is its views on a new democratic system referred to as the "People's Democracy".

As the book clearly predicts, politicians of all political parties (Alec clearly included) will condemn the book; for it advocates a new political system in which the parties are side-lined and power transferred back to the people. Certainly not socialism, but a new form of democracy that Dennis Macleod (my father and co-author of the book) likes to call "the People's Democracy". Every Scot should read the third section of the chapter on "Democracy" to understand these new ideas. They are truly revolutionary and cut right to the heart of all that is wrong with our current system of party politics and the centralization of power amongst the few.

What is more interesting than the idea of a "People's Democracy" is how Dennis suggests Scotland debate and move towards changing our current system. He recommends that Scotland go down the same path as that recently done by British Columbia in Canada and create a Scottish Citizens Commission. A commission comprised of a fair representation of Scots that discusses and recommends changes to our current political system (and any other issues worthy of debate). Such a commission would be outside the influence of politicians and very difficult (if not impossible) for the political parties to ignore. For to ignore the views and aspirations of the people would be to threaten the very existence of the political parties themselves.

What Scotland needs right now is a politician wise enough to see the flaws of our current political system and brave enough to support the creation of a Scottish Citizens Commission to plot a new course for Scotland.

I've said this before, and doubtless it'll need to be said again - the SNP should ditch ay pretence (and surely that's all it is) of having a portfolio of coherent or even costed policies and simply campaign on the single issue of independence. Perhaps that way the quality of debate on this issue could be given a much needed shot in the arm?

As things stand the SNP manage to do little more than appear like opportunistic, low level xenophobes. Independence may or may not be a good idea, but the SNP (like Scotland's other inept, uninspiring and tired parties) certainly isn't.

Infact, it's not too much of a stretch to say the SNP are downright dishonest - for too long they have seemed vaguely embarassed by their raison d'etre. Either stand up and be counted for your belief in indpendence, or don't. But this halfway house of self-proclaimed opposition in a devolved parliament has shown them to be lacking backbone or spirit or vision or integrity.

I am open to the idea of Scottish independence, but I am certainly not open to it being based on the type of hollow soundbites bandied about by Salmond and the intolerable Sturgeon. Thank god I don't live in Scotland and have these peoople appearing on the telly to contend with every night.

Talk of a smart, sustainable Scotland is all well and good, but the SNP seem incapable of bleating for more than a few minutes before London is blamed for some wrong, or the issue of oil is broached once again. Here's the news SNP peeps - the oil is running out, and will likely be gone before a more coherent argument for independence is advanced.