Scotland Matters Letters

Douglas Turner says that I am a ‘hardline Brexiteer and Uber Unionist just because he disagrees with me (Letters, 18 September). I campaigned and voted for Remain in 2016 and would do so again. I am on record as saying so repeatedly. I have never used an Uber cab and am pro-UK, not ‘Unionist’. Second, Mr Turner claims – as nationalists do – that ‘EU officials say’ that Scotland has complied with EU rules for over 4o years. Yes, it has – as a part of the UK, with its own currency, central bank and lender of last resort. That is the point. The SNP has not explained how Scotland would meet these financial requirements. If its existing plan of using sterling – termed by the EU as ‘a third country’s currency’ – were implemented after secession, Scotland would be debarred from EU admission. It may simply be that Mr Turner is ignorant of EU requirements. Nevertheless, in light of his claims, I challenge him to show where, in writing, EU leaders have guaranteed an iScotland entry to the EU. A link would suffice. Officials saying friendly and anodyne words do not a commitment make. Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh.

YESTERDAY was the ninth anniversary of the announcement the SNP had lost the referendum. Who would have thought that as they wade through their self-made swamp of scandal, incompetence and trashed indy proposals they’d still be at it? Only last week Humza Yousaf announced the latest version of the de facto/de functo referendum which could see them demanding independence even if they won 20 seats and none of the three pro-UK parties got more than 19. Does he think we came up the Clyde in a Ferguson’s ferry? Allan Sutherland, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire.

THE administration running our affairs in Scotland has taken the decision to fight the UK government in court. They have no chance of winning their appeal regarding their ill-prepared and basically flawed Gender Reform Recognition Bill case and everyone and their dog knows it. But they have painted themselves into a corner and will not accept their new law was not thought through and many eminent legal minds considered it to be putting women and girls in danger. And so, to save face and, more importantly, cause more grievance with the UK Government and perhaps bring the Holy Grail of separation closer, they are prepared to pay hundreds of thousands of our taxes on a patently unwinnable case. Money that could be used to help alleviate the drugs deaths tragedy unique to Scotland and poverty on our streets will instead be blown on the fees of top lawyers. There is a good argument, as well, that there are many in the SNP who were far from happy with the GRR bill anyway. But these matters will not change the SNP’s direction of travel or induce clearer, pragmatic thinking. Ironically, it is this way of thinking that prevents any real separatist advance and we on the pro-UK side should be grateful for it. Alexander McKay, Edinburgh.

At the beginning of October our 29 MSPs are to provide yet more subsidies to those in the Central Belt by ending peak-time fares on Scottish railways. Is Humza Yousaf aware that Scots, in places such as Tongue, Braemar, Campbell-town or Kirkcudbright, have no access to ScotRail services? Surely, as a quid pro quo, rural Scots should receive free electricity to counter the largesse splashed on those living in the Central Belt! Ian Moir, CastleDouglas, Dumfries & Galloway.

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