The Scottish National Party is facing a tricky time in 2018

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Nicola Sturgeon may find she does not have enough support for a second referendum after elections in 2021 (Getty Images)

2018 will be challenging for the Scottish National Party. In the June election pro-UK parties took 63.2% of the votes – clearly not a referendum though it was held just weeks after Ms Sturgeon announced her desire to stage indyref2.

The nationalist leader has a small window in which to stage another referendum before the Holyrood pro-independence majority is likely to disintegrate at the 2021 Scottish elections. Yet Downing St has effectively stated that the ‘now is not the time’ line will extend through the Brexit transition period – in practical terms, post the 2021 election.

So what’s left for Ms Sturgeon? Inevitably she’ll deem Brexit a failure, whatever the outcome, and demand indyref2, knowing it will be rejected. Let’s assume she won’t risk creating a problem of Catalonian proportions. Then, all that remains is a grievance to cultivate and cherish until after the next Holyrood elections in 2025.

Martin Redfern
Edinburgh

The Prime Minister should listen to sensible voices

After Theresa May’s over-optimistic New Year message I would offer her an alternative resolution. She should resolve to listen to organisations such as the CBI and the British Chambers of Commerce, as well as her civil servants, and just for a change act in the interests of the country and not only the interests of the Conservative party. And perhaps, just perhaps, we might then get a sensible Brexit outcome.

Chris Elshaw
Hants

Twin tracks

Just to show there are two sides to every story, your article by Neil Lancefield on the state of our railways is a perfect example (‘Britons travelling on oldest trains since records began, rail statistics show’, 1 Jan). Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group seems to be under the illusion that we benefit from “the most highly rated major railway in Europe.” Whereas Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, claims “we just have, for the most part, a clapped-out system.”

G Forward
Stirling

Why is the Government not tackling homelessness?

The crisis of homelessness in England is getting worse every year. In fact, families with stable jobs are even at risk of homelessness. During Christmas homeless people are given warm food, warm clothing and shelter for one or two days, then they are thrown back to their old haunts to struggle for their survival in this cold winter. Why can’t they be looked after for the rest of the year? These vulnerable people are abandoned to look after themselves in the 21st century, when we are the 6^th richest country in the world. How can this be allowed to happen?

The Government must take immediate steps to face this growing problem of homelessness before the situation becomes worse and gets out of hand.

Baldev Sharma
Harrow

Seaplane tragedy is a terrible blow

The loss of Richard Cousins in a seaplane accident in Australia is very sad news. I worked for Compass for two years while Richard was CEO. He literally transformed the company into what it is today by focusing on the basics of finance and ensuring people were held accountable for their decisions with no hiding place for bad management.

It is very sad that he did not live to enjoy retirement given he was due to hand over the reigns at Compass later this year.

He leaves behind a hugely successful legacy and will be sorely missed by his current and former colleagues around the globe.

Chris Key