Sir, – So the EU referendum did not have the result many of us hoped for.
However, as democracy is something we are all supposed to be supportive of, I think it is important that we accept the result, just as it is important that the result of the Scottish independence referendum is accepted.
And Nicola Sturgeon must accept Scots were not asked in 2014 if they wanted to remain part of the UK as long as the UK stayed part of the EU. That was not the question.
Interestingly, many of those in the English regions who voted to leave the EU are the same type of folk who voted Yes to Scottish independence.
To my mind both the Yes campaign and the Leave campaign preyed on those who are disaffected with the establishment. Both are equally guilty.
Let’s see this not as a disaster (although it might feel like that just now) but as an opportunity.
It is an opportunity to make sure we keep all the good things that the EU has given us; like the environmental protection for our nature and our wider environment, like workers’ rights and funding for the less advantaged.
But look carefully at the things that were not so great, like the bureaucracy and waste.
So it is important for the whole of the UK to pull together to make sure that good comes out of this step we are taking.
This is in the best interests of everyone, be they living in Perth or Penrith, or Cardiff or Carrickfergus.
It is also important that the UK stays strong in order to help the EU as there is a big risk that losing one of its main contributors is going to mean that the EU itself is at risk.
There are many more disaffected people across Europe in each and every EU member state so there will be rocky times ahead across Europe.
Perhaps a new Europe will emerge as a result of this.
Just as with the UK, if it didn’t exist already we would probably end up inventing it. The EU has not been perfect so maybe this will be the catalyst for something new that the UK can play a part in forming.
Working together is important in the UK and in the EU and the example that this gives to the rest of the world is also important.
It would be easy to turn our backs on politics altogether. But that leaves the lunatics in charge of the asylum. Let’s not let that happen.
Helen Taylor.
Glenfender Cottage,
Amulree.
Let us look to Commonwealth
Sir, – After the excitement of the last few days it is back to the coal-face today.
It seems EU leaders cannot get rid of us quick enough as we’ve been a fly in the ointment for many a day.
The worry at the moment is that people who approve of democracy only if it gives them what they want, are getting more aggressive.
Our young, who have never known anything but a nanny state and cannot conceive what the outside world looks like, need to be reassured.
Let’s look to all our Commonwealth friends and get back into fellowship with those we have had to snub because of obedience to Brussels bureaucrats.
Vote Leave have a list of things which will happen once we get started with Article 50. We always used to be able to travel and have holidays but these are unimportant things by comparison to freedom.
Mrs Alexandra Smith.
41 Bridieswell Gardens,
Gauldry.
Our future is in our hands
Sir, – The people have spoken. The UK has voted to leave the European Union, while Scotland has decisively voted to stay in.
The result will have proven a surprise to many and the consequences far reaching.
We are far from being a United Kingdom and the divisions, not only between nations and regions, are clear. There are splits in voting patterns between rich and poor, old and young, the cities and the provinces.
Withdrawal from the EU will have major economic and social impacts, and the sadness of this is that it will unfortunately hit the poorest hardest.
In the run-up to the referendum on independence, the unionists devoted considerable attention to arguing that on independence Scotland would be out in the cold, would be at the back of the queue to re-apply for EU membership, which would take years.
Those, like myself, who warned of the current situation arising were ridiculed. The only way we could stay in the EU, we were told, was through our membership of the EU. That was “guaranteed”.
The tectonic plates have shifted and shifted dramatically.
There will be another independence referendum, of that there is little doubt, and there will be many whose view will change from how they voted in the previous referendum to how they vote now.
Things will never be the same again, but we in Scotland can be masters of our own destiny. We can say loudly and clearly “not in our name”. The future is ours to decide, let’s go for it.
Alex Orr.
77 Leamington Terrace,
Edinburgh.
Britain may be first of many
Sir, – Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, threatens indyref 2 claiming that Scotland is being forced to leave the EU.
She had better find out quickly if Scotland can join the EU since the UK Leave result could trigger a ripple effect across the EU.
Already other countries are demanding their own referendums.
In France, before the UK referendum, one newspaper asked if readers wanted France out of the EU and 88% answered yes.
Sweden may now consider its position.
In a recent poll, 58% of Italians wanted a referendum.
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Front has demanded a referendum.
Greece will do anything to escape its liabilities.
Germany has warned that other countries may seek to follow Britain’s lead and named France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Hungry.
Never mind, Ms Sturgeon, by the time Scotland is allowed to join what’s left of the EU, the poorest nations including, Romania and Bulgaria who get far more finance out than they put in, will be waiting to greet you alongside Turkey and a new German Chancellor.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Points SNP must answer
Sir, – The United Kingdom now faces its greatest crisis since Suez. Just like Suez, the situation is of our own making and will change our standing in the world.
In Scotland the debate is focusing on whether or not Scotland should leave the UK.
Nicola Sturgeon has said a second independence vote is “highly likely” and is making herself look busy by holding press conferences.
Of course, the economic argument for Scotland remaining in the UK has now changed.
However, we don’t know how it has changed and will not do so for some time.
For that reason, I think it is too soon to know how I will vote in any second independence referendum.
In my view, the economic argument can’t be made until three things (at least) are known.
Firstly, we need to know what the UK’s future relationship with the EU would be.
It is clear that the UK will try to establish some sort of a Norwegian/Swiss style EFTA deal.
Secondly, we need to understand what an independent Scotland’s relationship with the EU will be. It appears unlikely that Scotland can stay in the EU as the rest of the UK leaves. Can Scotland really leave the UK due to Brexit only to become an independent state adrift outside the EU without the support of the Barnett Formula?
The 33% of SNP voters who backed Brexit may think that’s a good idea but I don’t.
Thirdly, the SNP has several of the usual non-trivial questions to answer on things like borders with rUK and currency.
Until the three points above are addressed I will remain undecided.
Dr Scott Arthur.
27 Buckstone Gardens,
Edinburgh.
Where are Leave leaders?
Sir, – Like two wee boys who have just kicked their football through a neighbour’s window and run off after realising the trouble they have caused; the absence of Boris and Nigel in the media is most noticeable.
Colin Topping.
Crathes Close,
Glenrothes.