I WAS curious to read the moderate view of the former SNP “spin doctor”, Kevin Pringle, in rejecting the short time frame for a referendum to be conducted next year – the first year of the newly elected Scottish Government, no doubt it will be an SNP one (Indyref will not happen in 2021, says former SNP spin doctor, December 28)! Mr Pringle opines that indyref2 is a matter for the medium term of the Scottish Parliament and not the short term of 2021. I wish to challenge that assertion by reminding him that there will likely be a transition period of preparation from the point when a referendum is formally “given the green light” by a majority of Scottish voters. Therefore the effect of a positive early referendum result would transcend into the long term if the expected two years of prep concludes in a new era of self-determination for Scotland.