I HAVE followed reports, letters and blogs regarding Brexit, as I’m sure have many others, with interest and a few chuckles.

I am, however, uncomfortable with what has become a recurring theme, namely that the Tories have No Plan.

Taking a leaf from Henry McLeish there are a number items worthy of consideration (Henry McLeish says No voters must reflect on Brexit, Trump and the prospect of 15 years of Tory rule, The National, February 11).

1. Is it mere coincidence that the Labour Party elects (twice) a man with no apparent leadership qualities, who is fundamentally spineless and who also happens to be anti-EU? The result being that not only do Labour fail to offer any effective support to the Remain campaign or opposition in parliament after Brexit, they actively assist the passage of the Article 50 Bill.

2. Did David Cameron “take one for the team”? Is it possible he was expected to fail by the people who fund the Tories (the same ilk who funded Brexit) and campaigned accordingly? He certainly doesn’t appear to have come out of the affair badly, financially speaking anyway.

It’s easy to dismiss Brexit as a civil war amongst the Tory toffs and the incidental fallout was an unexpected Leave win. Another conclusion is that the Tories, with the assistance of the media, controlled both sides of the debate and obtained the desired result.

3. If Theresa May fails to achieve the immigration curbs promised (highly likely, after all who else is going to pick the berries?) will she follow Cameron into the sunset allowing the Tory old guard to resume control in time for the 2020 general election?

No doubt she too will be rewarded for her sacrifice.

4. Ruth Davidson has ranted on and on (and on and on…) about a second independence referendum for over a year and a half.

She and her masters knew on September 19 2014 that a rerun was inevitable due to the manner of Better Togethers victory.

Brexit only brings it closer. Ruthie and her sidekicks, notably the prof and the one who supports last years Scottish Cup runners-up, are merely following orders.

5.This may be just another conspiracy theory (and hey, maybe it is) but remember the Tories have never been enthusiastic supporters of the NHS, have always disdained the welfare state and appear to detest the human and workers rights backed by EU law, regulations and directives (witness the frequent diatribes in the Tory tabloids against health and safety and the nanny state).

Consider then, just how close the Tories are to administering the coup-de-gras to the NHS, crushing the welfare state, bringing in US health insurance models and rolling back EU workers rights.

6. Lastly, if people like Jim Rogers and Matt Winkler have concluded that the UK is in for a severe economic turndown and that Scottish independence will exacerbate this state of affairs, we can expect the Tories to have done likewise. Westminster will pull out all the stops, fight dirty (OK, even dirtier) and throw the kitchen sink at the Yes campaign.We have to resist being dragged into the gutter.The Tories are utterly shameless but they have a plan and are masters of the long game.

Alex Bruce, Edinburgh

LISTENING to Radio Four last night I was struck how a succession of programmes on social issues had as their core problem the retreat of the state in providing health and security for the majority of citizens. I feel austerity, and now Brexit is the opportunity Thatcherites have been waiting for to send us back to the Victorian age.

Carla Petrie, Glasgow

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AN article in Wednesday’s edition (West End bathers in hot water over National bin row, February 15) got me thinking. By pure coincidence I checked the daily newspapers available for members of my local health club to read following their various workouts and found six of the usual suspects. When I asked about the available titles I was told that those were the ones they were told to provide. I pointed out to the delightful young lady that they all represented Unionist views and asked where was The National to provide an alternative vision for Scotland’s future. Her reply shocked me as she asked “Is that a newspaper?”.

Now private clubs can do what they like, and I am sure that the absence of The National could simply have been an oversight, but how many pubs and clubs throughout Scotland are not providing an opportunity for new readers to discover and enjoy the delights of my favourite newspaper, which I subscribe to in digital form and can be read anywhere in the world with internet access. I read recently in this paper that only 1.5 per cent of people get their news from The National and I feel that all members of clubs, private or otherwise, should be given access to the paper and all pubs, libraries and waiting rooms, which provide access to the Scottish press, should include The National.

Some pathetically childish Unionist may be trying to deny the West End bathers a chance to read a well-balanced view of Scottish politics but hats off to the Western Baths for at least giving their members the opportunity to read it. So, come on all you club members and pub-goers, let’s start asking for our National to be seen in our clubs and bars.

Laurie McAlindin, Edinburgh THE Scottish Children’s Services Coalition is pleased to support today’s Care Day to celebrate the lives and listen to the stories of care experienced young people.

The monumental commitment from the First Minister to listen to 1000 care experienced voices, as well as the Scottish Government’s commitment to an independent root and branch review of care, has the power to change so many lives and is a bold first step towards rebuilding our broken care system.

This Care Day, led by one of our members, Who Cares? Scotland, will see charities from across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland come together to celebrate care experienced young people and hear their stories so that together we can combat the negative stereotypes and stigma they face.

Improving the lives of looked after children is a desire that transcends party lines and days such as today go a long way in helping the general public become more informed about the lives of care experienced young people and the hurdles they face. This is why it’s so important for us all to stand together with care experienced young people in our communities to positively recognise their identities so that all of Scotland’s care experienced young people receive the love and support they deserve.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition: Duncan Dunlop, Who Cares? Scotland, Tom McGhee, Spark of Genius, Sophie Pilgrim, Kindred Scotland, Stuart Jacob, Falkland House School, Niall Kelly, Young Foundations, Liz May, Action for Sick Children Scotland

I AM encouraged by the evidence of an emerging industrial strategy on the part of the Scottish Government, in particular the investment in strategic infrastructure such as the impressive new Queensferry Crossing bridge. The salvaging of our steel industry at Dalzell and Clydebridge is also a major achievement, as is the reopening of the aluminium plant at Fort William with its associated developments. I hope that part of this strategy involves a systematic program of import replacement. Encouraging domestic enterprises to identify and exploit such market opportunities would help to create economic growth and employment.

That apart, in an unpredictable world, with a growing danger of restrictions on international trade, it would seem prudent in any case to minimise our dependence on imports wherever possible.

Peter Craigie, Edinburgh