THE Belfast judgement on Brexit states that the process of leaving the EU will be controlled by parliamentary legislation but reserves the ancient right of Royal prerogative to invoke Article 50. As Mrs May is unwilling or too concerned of the outcome to allow parliamentary debate before Article 50 is triggered, a situation could arise where parliament failed to agree terms favourable to the UK yet was unable to retain EU membership. This could be resolved by allowing parliamentary debate now. Unfortunately Mrs May, who was arguing the Remain case only a few months ago, seems more concerned with concealing her hand and making misplaced comparisons with poker.

Peter Gorrie, Edinburgh

THERE are many strongly held views regarding austerity, and significant net inward migration, with the resultant conflict particularly highlighted where low-paid jobs maintain both. Non-EU net inward migration appears poorly controlled by the UK Government, but both non-EU and EU net inward immigration are in fact driven by UK business and its demands for low-cost labour.

There are also many strongly-held views regarding the advantages of regulation or deregulation, with some businesses seeking low-cost labour in favour of deregulation, and some who seek well-paid, high-productivity labour, accepting regulation as requirement for making a profit within a functioning society.

Lifting the Tory dogma of austerity and deregulation would appear to be the most obvious broad-brush solution to the increasing poverty of UK society, not leaving the EU.

Scotland’s elected government has clearly tried to undermine the prospect of this even more dysfunctional UK society, following a departure from the EU, and has been subsequently castigated by the Tories for having such temerity, as creating a dysfunctional UK society is not a devolved matter.

There is of course indyref2, and we are now well beyond the question of whether to simply seek greater self-determination within the UK, within the EU, but by the prospect of Scotland’s society being ground into dust by ever more dysfunctional Tory governments.

Stephen Tingle, Greater Glasgow

CHARLES Moore in The Telegraph, October 28, has a headline which is so absurd that one has to assume that the term “Brexit” is causing disorientation in some journalists.

The headline states: “Brexit has reversed the post-imperial decline of Britain.” We have had the vote, Article 50 is still to be invoked, there is no Brexit plan yet, the pound is falling, Morrisons has increased the price of Marmite, we are still in the open single market, the PM still attends the Council of Ministers etc, etc. In other words the Brexit-thingy has not yet taken place.

Are we missing something? The mainstream media is causing mild hypertensions over the Russian fleet sailing past the UK in international waters and accusing it of returning to the Cold War, being provocative and aggressive. To journalists like Moore, post-imperial, it is “not cricket”.

What is the thinking or fantasising behind Moore’s headlines? Where is all this red-white-and-blue tinged, or rinse Tarantara heading? A return to Empire East of Suez? Retake Hong Kong? Conscription?

Such meaningless drivel emanating out of the mainstream media post-EU vote is to be ridiculed on the one hand, but worrying on the other.

Time for an overdue reality check!


John Edgar, Blackford

AS an eco socialist who voted for more democracy here in the referendum for independence I am disappointed though not surprised that the SNP have announced their support for expansion of Heathrow rather than taking the opportunity to live up to its claims to want a better environment (New Heathrow extension ‘must benefit Scotland’, The National, October 26).

Never mind the ordinary folk around London, our environment is international.

Global warming won’t respect any borders as it damages us all, even those that are still taken in by the promise of fictional jobs like Trident or more recently even Project Fear during both referendums.

Norman Lockhart, Innerleithen

GIVEN that the SNP support Heathrow expansion, I think we can presume the Edinburgh Airport expansion consultation is a foregone conclusion.

With not one of the 56 SNP MPs or 63 SNP MSPs or 17 SNP Edinburgh councillors opposing the Heathrow expansion, I think we know that Edinburgh is about to get a whole lot more noise and air pollution coming our way. This is not a democratic party, it’s a cult of obedience to the leader.

Michelle Smythe, Edinburgh


I’VE just seen Ken Loach’s, film I, Daniel Blake, and thoroughly recommend it but suggest you keep your hands in your pockets and a hanky up your sleeve.

I also listened in to BBC 1’s Question Time on Thursday evening where Ken Loach and the rest of the panel were asked if they felt Britain had become a less compassionate society. The usual prevarication happened (it’s the BBC). I would suggest England certainly has. Apologies to our neighbours over the border – but to vote in an austerity government not once but twice suggests they have become a less caring and tolerant society.

Catriona Whitton, Dunblane


REGARDING Janice Burn’s article (Students start campaign on hidden side of sectarianism, The National, October 29), one of the main causes of sectarianism is our state-sponsored sectarian education system. We need to talk about this.

Children are sent to separate schools at five years old based on religion. That is long before anyone becomes a football hooligan.

David Dick, Address supplied


HAVING watched a debate about a fairer Scotland I hear more moaning from the Unionist lot. This is the same lot who voted for £15billion of welfare cuts on the poorest. It’s time our MPs reminded Labour and the Tories and LibDems only independence will look after the Scottish people. The welfare system is broken. The SNP should have control, or why have a parliament?

Stevie, Motherwell via text


I’M all for retaining Scottish traditions, but calls to retain neep lanterns and reject pumpkins seem a bit misguided (Hallowe’en revellers are urged to go back to roots with turnip lanterns, The National, October 29).

Why don’t we instead encourage our guisers to do a turn, in rejection of the American “trick or treat” sweetie grab? That way no one risks losing any fingers in a bid to prove they are a true Scot.

Joan Brown, Edinburgh


WE drivers hear each rainy day,

Please, drive with care, beware of spray,

Our roads, once kept with Council’s pride,

Are places now where fish could bide.

Gutters and drains run deep in water,

And we all know, they shouldn’t oughter,

Weeds and moss now stop the flow,

To where the rain should rightly go.

There’s water now up to our hubs,

Instead of cars we’ll soon need subs,

Petrol prices? No need to rail,

Propulsion soon will be by sail.

So come on Amey, come on BEAR,

Treat our roads with better care,

Sweep those gutters, clear those drains,

Then we won’t worry when it rains!

Jim Gibson, Selkirk