Sir – Regarding the Brexit transition deal struck by the Tory Government to extend the Common Fisheries Policy ( CFP) into 2021.
This highlights how indifferent the UK Government is towards the Scottish fishing industry, an industry, devolved to Holyrood, that voted almost en masse for Brexit and as a consequence returned, particularly in the east and north-east, a number of Tory MPs.
The expectation was that the Tories would get back Scotland’s territorial waters on the first day after leaving Europe.
The impact of this latest decision puts Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the UK at a crossroads, and in clear perspective.
The decision is hollow and patronising to the hardworking members of the fishing community, and the final humiliation of those who voted Tory, of devolution of our Parliament and, if they are able to see it, of our 13 Tory MPs in Scotland, who are now seen as gullible voting fodder for the Tory party machine.
This is the litmus test for a Tory unionist in Scotland.
The greatest humiliation must surely be that of Ruth Davidson and David Mundell. It is obvious they have no influence at the Tory top table.
As a consequence, I firmly believe that right now Scotland has no effective representation within the UK Government structure.
Our Westminster MPs have no real powers. The SNP MPs are ignored and given little respect while our Labour MPs have disappeared into the UK Labour machine.
Add to this the most worrying development – the Tory Government’s clear strategy in the short term to weaken the devolution settlement, and in the long term, in my view, to dismantle our devolved parliament.
How long can we as a sovereign nation with a long, proud history continue to operate within a politically bankrupt UK with an uncertain Brexit future?
How long are we prepared to suffer the indignity, humiliation, indifference and derision from our so-called equal partners in the UK?
The treaty of union is broken. We all, particularly union voters, have a lot of heart-searching the next time we vote in any Holyrood or Westminster election.
There is a lot at stake.
Dan Wood, Charles Melvin Gardens, Kirriemuir.
Only useful for doing deals
Sir,– I notice the Conservative MPs in Scotland are to raise the fishing industry deal struck with the EU with the UK Government.
They will just be told by Mrs May they are an irrelevance as Scots don’t vote Conservative in large numbers, and of course they will meekly surrender to their betters and support the UK Government position.
As for the fishermen themselves – did they really believe the UK Government wouldn’t backstab them, when just about all of Scotland knew they would?
At least the SNP have been consistent in their support for EU membership, unlike the Conservatives who repeatedly told us ‘your fishing is safe with us’ and then made a deal to the opposite.
It is abundantly clear why they don’t want fishing and agriculture to come back to Holyrood. It would upset their ability to make shady deals.
Farmers should be very nervous as they may be next for the chop.
Bryan Auchterlonie.
Bluebell Cottage,
Perth.
No say in big decisions
Sir – Derek Farmer (“Hypocrisy at fishing deal”, Letters, March 21) is under false illusions.
While the EU CFP is managed through Westminster, Scottish fishermen (and women) have had all but no say in what England decides or accepts. An independent Scotland would have a say in that management.
Nick Cole.
Balmacron Farmhouse,
Meigle.
Passport deal like a bad joke
Sir, – What is the price of National Pride?
Apparently it is £50 million. That is the difference between the only British bid by De La Rue in Gateshead, and Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto, the company that won the contract to manufacture the new blue and gold British passports in 2019.
De la Rue is the current manufacturer of British passports and produces passports for 80 countries, but now it will not produce them for Britain.
Laughingly the idea of changing the colour was to signify Britain taking back control after Brexit.
I thought April Fools’ Day had come early this year – yet the British passport will be manufactured in France. It is a disgraceful decision and needs to reviewed.
This government yet again is failing to put this country and its workers first, and is now selling part of our national identity off.
Gordon Kennedy.
117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Public shouldn’t bear this cost
Sir, – It is unfortunate people do not read articles fully (“Council is battling rising tide of debt racked up by tenants”, The Courier, March 19).
By referring to rent defaulters masquerading as homeless people, I was raising a subject which hasn’t been made public and suggesting one way to address it – and also invited other suggestions.
I made it quite clear that my comments referred to a “tiny minority”.
These people may not be homeless or destitute, they may not be in need of accommodation; what I said was that they present themselves as being so. Furthermore, I haven’t claimed that this tiny minority are the full cause of the arrears, only that they are a cause and it is a cost which the public shouldn’t be having to bear.
The report to the Policy and Resources Committee stated: “Since former tenants’ arrears were last reported to committee, 23 tenancies have been abandoned and these tenancies had outstanding arrears of £21,984.26. This can make collection difficult e.g. no addresses to enable pursuit of arrears.”
Why should the honest resident, who pays their council tax, be expected to pay for the accommodation of persons who disappear owing money?
I bear in mind always the words of John Bradford, from the 16th Century, “There but for the grace of God…”, knowing it could have been me. In no way did I mean any disrespect for the vast majority of tenants just the tiny minority who ‘play the system’ and cost these tenants, as well as private householders.
I am fully supportive of the council officers who have to try to recover these debts. They do what they are able to, very capably, within the current legislation – I believe it’s the legislation that requires change.
Cllr Richard Moore.
Arbroath West, Letham & Friockheim Ward.
Social security settles into city
Sir, – Six months ago the First Minister announced Dundee is to be the headquarters of Social Security Scotland, creating at least 750 jobs in the city. A detailed property market search has been under way to find suitable premises – somewhere that will allow us to treat people with dignity and respect, and which will be accessible to people.
The first workers will start work shortly and a preferred interim location has been identified, where these staff will soon start their new roles to deliver the first of Scotland’s devolved benefits.
We are at an advanced stage of commercial negotiations and I expect to be able to make an announcement on this shortly, but cannot pre-empt this process.
Yesterday’s jobs fair – where these roles were launched – was a successful and very busy day. Around 800 people came along and I was excited to meet some of them and hear how interested they are in working for Social Security Scotland.
Dundee has a skilled and dedicated workforce and I look forward to us working together to deliver a social security system for Scotland that we can all be proud of.
Jeane Freeman.
Minister for Social Security,
Scottish Government.
