Sir, – If anyone thinks we will leave the EU they are deluded.
First of all the result in 2016 didn’t go the way most MPs wanted it to go.
Then David Cameron resigned as prime minister as soon as the final outcome to leave Europe was announced.
Next, Theresa May, who is a remainer, took over as PM.
I think that since day one behind closed doors she has been saying to Tusk, Junker, and Barnier that she will make such a botched job of negotiations that by the time we are due to leave on March 29 the British public will be so disillusioned by the deal (if any) that politicians will call for another referendum within a few months.
I reckon at the most we will have left Europe for about a year.
Also we give Europe £350 million a week.
That works out at just over £5 per every man, woman and child.
We are the cash cow of Europe.
If we were Poland, Latvia, Greece or Portugal then Europe would be glad to see the back of us.
In the 1970s when we first joined it was only six countries in the Common Market.
When the UK decided to joined along with Eire and Denmark it made it nine countries – not another 27.
We perhaps should have listened and acted on Enoch Powell’s advice.
He mentioned immigration in 1968 and it has indeed come back to haunt us.
Also, it seems he was right in advising us not to join Europe, but his advice fell on deaf ears.
David Dewar.
42 Prior Road,
Forfar.
A referendum is merely the start
Sir, – How many referendums are voters prepared to put up with in order to settle the question of the British constitution?
I see that Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable wants to hold a “confirmatory” vote to follow another poll on Scottish independence (“Cable calls for second vote”, Courier, September 14).
This could stretch the patience of the electors almost to breaking point and further undermine the role of our MPs.
He already wants to see a similar type of ballot to follow the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
By the time we (again) try to settle the vexed question of whether Scotland should become an independent state I should think we will all be heartily sick of campaigns and endless televised jousts.
There must come a point when our politicians live up to the responsibilities we pay them for and make a decision.
Sir Vince is right to remind us, though, of one important thing. The people could vote yes in a referendum but that is just the beginning of the process.
It will take a long time to settle such difficult questions as Scotland’s share of the national debt, citizenship, Trident, embassy facilities abroad, defence contracts and all the rest of it.
If you think the current negotiations on withdrawal from the European Union are complex, you can be sure those on Scottish independence will be equally so.
Those who are currently taking to the streets in support of autonomy know that getting support for it will be difficult enough.
They should not underestimate how tough the talks on getting to the final destination will be either.
Bob Taylor.
24 Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
There are not only two options
Sir, – I just recently received a leaflet from my local Conservative councillor alongside a survey to send to Ruth Davidson MSP telling her what I think.
As one of around 1.6 million people who voted for Scottish independence in 2014 it was too good an opportunity to miss, especially as it came accompanied as it was by a freepost to reply back.
Whether she ever reads my survey does not particularly concern me, the postage was not paid directly by myself in any event.
However, there were only two choices for first minister of Scotland despite the fact that there are five party leaders in Scotland.
While Ruth Davidson may believe that only she or the present incumbent are realistic contenders for first minister, this appears to be based on the fact she thinks that you either vote as a “unionist” or “nationalist” and for the main protagonists of either.
Everybody is apparently obsessed with Indyref2, stopping Indyref2 or Brexit, rather than public transport issues, emergency control room issues or giving credit to the two parties most closely associated with the Borders railway, Alloa railway and those who started planning for the AWPR and Balmedie to Tipperty dual carriageway, namely the Scottish Labour Party and Scottish Liberal Democrats.
We could also be wanting to give credit to either of the two parties that voted against reducing APD, namely the Greens and Liberal Democrats.
I may not want Indyref2, even as someone who voted for Scottish independence first time, but I certainly don’t want an arch unionist in the shape of Ruth Davidson as first minister of Scotland.
Indeed, I may even consider the previously unthinkable for someone brought up in the East Neuk of Fife – the Scottish Labour Party.
Peter Ovenstone.
6 Orchard Grove,
Peterhead.
Power outlook far from settled
Sir, – As I was heating a rhubarb tart in my microwave I suddenly found myself with time on my hands and began to think of Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond.
It was because Storm Ali had just hit north-east Fife and we were all left without power for a couple of hours.
It got me thinking – it is all very well using scores of wind turbines in order to make Scotland’s energy generation “greener” but the public should know that as soon as the wind-speed exceeds around 32 miles per hour the brakes come on automatically to shut them down, lest they burn out their bearings and eventually topple as a red-hot mass to the ground (I have seen videos of this).
Scotland obviously needs a balance between wind power and another energy source and so it is especially disturbing that during the SNP period of government in 2016, traditional power stations like Longannet were completely shut down.
If our electrical supply systems cannot get power to the population in September then heaven help us all in the real winter months ahead.
It certainly gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “power to the people”
Archibald A. Lawrie.
5 Church Wynd,
Kingskettle.
Wishart is wide of the mark
Sir, – Few electors will be fooled by the sanctimonious piffle proffered by Pete “nobody meets me” Wishart MSP after allegedly being snubbed by Conservative ministers in favour of meeting Tory colleagues.
Mr Wishart suggests this is a “shocking abuse”.
Mr Wishart and his party must have, as they say, a fine conceit o’ themselves if they think that UK Government ministers are going to be at their beck and call on demand.
Mr Wishart and his colleagues are sworn political enemies of the British State.
Their sole ideological purpose is the break up of the United Kingdom.
Any meeting or conversation with their hated Tory rivals inevitably turns into a grievance or grudge with nothing positive arising from a dialogue that should be for the benefit of all constituents, regardless of their political affiliations.
The SNP and Mr Wishart have no interest in Westminster delivering successful policies that may encourage voters that the Union is the best option for a secure and stable Scotland.
Kirstene Hair MP has been remarkably successful in managing to highlight important issues that affect Tayside and this has appeared to rattle Mr Wishart who is probably eyeing his extremely slender majority with some concern and worrying that his government has failed Scotland badly.
The fact that Kirstene Hair has the ear of senior UK Government ministers is to be welcomed knowing that the points she raises on behalf of all her constituents will be undertaken without ulterior motives.
Tayside constituents expect their MSPs and MPs to represent them unconditionally.
The independence referendum of 2014 was the settled will of the Scottish people and if there is “shocking abuse” politically, it is in the SNP not accepting the outcome.
Iain G Richmond.
Guildy House,
Monikie.
