Sir, – Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is a farcical proposal, endorsing all of the policies of the Tory right. It will ensure the wealthy few will continue to amass their riches.
They claimed the UK could sign new trade deals with China, the US and Japan all while maintaining access to EU single market.
This is a fantasy. The Tories view Brexit as an attempt to turn the clock back to a mythical past.
One where democratic rights are ripped up and prejudices are cynically encouraged.
Brexit will further lay bare the gulf between the majority and the miniscule financial and corporate oligarchy that controls the money supply and dictates the policies of government.
Under Brexit lies have replaced truth in service of the plutocracy.
Any time reality contradicts Brexit propaganda then reality must be denied.
Quite simply doing less trade with your biggest trading partner will cause your economy to shrink.
The Tories have not been able to show any positive impact Brexit will have.
The “Scottish” Tories and other unionists prostate themselves awaiting whatever instructions come from their Westminster masters, no matter how detrimental to Scottish interests.
There is no doubt that fishing will be sold out to the EU.
And the NHS to Trump’s donors.
There will now be negotiations with the EU to get a trade deal.
These will be led by Boris Johnson, a man who hid in a fridge to avoid a reporter.
Alan Hinnrichs.
2 Gillespie Terrace,
Dundee.
Turn Brexit hostility into positive energy
Sir, – After all their railing against a “cliff edge, no deal, Tory Brexit” it now appears the Separatist Negativity Party have adopted similar ideas in pursuit of another referendum.
By suggesting we could hold a referendum on separation without a pre-negotiated deal then sort it out later, they are advocating a leap in the dark.
Even fierce critics of Boris Johnson (at least those not blinkered by a single-issue obsession) will see the logic of avoiding the ridiculous complexity of simultaneously trying to negotiate a future relationship between the UK, the EU and a separated Scotland.
Rightly or wrongly, Brexit is happening.
The prime minister’s duty to the UK, including us in Scotland, is to concentrate on “Getting Brexit Right” while addressing the numerous pressing issues from climate change, the economy and transport through to health, education and housing.
This is what gives him the mandate to refuse another referendum.
For the SNP to unilaterally seek to impose more distraction and division on the rest of the UK for the foreseeable future is, to use their own terminology, “disrespecting” the interests of all the British people. They should be concentrating on those same pressing issues within their remit.
Every second Westminster, Holyrood and the associated civil services spend discussing Scexit, be it a deal or no deal scenario, is critical time wasted.
Holyrood should change all that negative energy into something positive and work with the UK Government to deal with our external and internal problems and ensure Scotland prospers in the UK.
The SNP don’t want success because it dilutes their case for separation, so they are unlikely to change.
The opposition parties need to make it clear what they would do differently, so we have a clear choice in the coming Holyrood election.
Mark Openshaw.
42 Earlswells Road, Cults.
Recipe for injury and death
Sir, – I cannot believe the Department for Transport is considering that electric scooters be allowed on the roads.
The DfT are proposing to treat them like bikes and riding on pavements would be illegal.
There are no plans to make the e-scooter owners take a test, have insurance, have an identification plate and pay towards the cost of the roads. A recipe for injuries and deaths.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Banking losses will mount up
Sir, – I want to draw attention to a very big problem that banks are creating.
It does not seem to have occurred to anyone that the increase in robberies at small rural businesses is due to them not being able to put their takings in a secure place overnight.
Second, it is also misleading young people in understanding the value of money and what it can and cannot buy for them, with plastic seeming endless until they land in debt.
The closure of more rural banks is worrying, and mobile banks just shut their doors once their time limit is up.
This also leaves people in a worried state not being able to pay their bills, get cash, and other services. Not everyone has a computer or telephone banking, nor can afford a computer and all the trimmings.
Rita Isles.
Craigour House,
The Terrace,
Bridge of Tilt.
UK’s first bank free county
Sir, – Kinross-shire may well become the first UK county to be entirely without banks. Perhaps the Scottish banks would consider commemorating this stunning achievement with a special edition banknote celebrating Bank-exit Day?
This could be augmented with road signs “Kinross-shire – a bank free county” just to warn tourists.
George Hayton.
6 Montgomery Way,
Kinross.
Many indy obstacles ahead
Sir, – Nicola Sturgeon couldn’t wait to tweet the YouGov headline showing Yes leading as Remainers increasingly back splitting with the UK.
Interestingly our FM’s comment to this headline was that the poll “shows Yes in the lead”.
Bearing in mind that there has been no Section 30 granted, this is the equivalent of stating that a horse in the Grand National is approaching the first of the 30 fences and is in the lead.
It tells us nothing of who would win the race.
The remaining 29 fences for the SNP include the economic plan without the pooling and sharing we have with the rest of the UK, the Barnett consequentials which give Scotland additional funding and the question of the currency.
I think Ms Sturgeon has jumped the gun and may well fall at the first.
Jane Lax.
Pine Lodge,
Craigellachie.
Merit to plan apps data fears
Sir, – I refer to your article “Backwards step” as council closes forum (Courier, January 30).
I echo the concerns of both Anstruther Cellardyke and Kilrenny Community Council and that of Kingsbarns.
The council’s specious GDPR data reason appears weak and was implemented without consultation over the Christmas and New Year period, a time when many cynical souls might suggest less of the public are being watchful.
The comments of others are rightly looked at by members of the public to see if their own objections to a planning application are similar or give them a steer on other relevant concerns.
Comments should be immediately made public while a proper independent consultation takes place.
Bill Porteous.
Councillor, East Neuk and Landward Fife.
