I WAS happy to see a picture of the magnificent Queensferry Crossing (The National, May 30). But why spoil it with a picture of Wullie Rennie in a DeLorean? Is he unaware that, outside of Back To The Future, the car was a total failure? Hugely expensive and seriously underpowered, the car only reached 75 per cent of its production target leading to a $100 million bankruptcy with the British Government sustaining a $77m loss ($200m in today’s money) as well as the loss of a skilled workforce of 2500 in the non-sectarian factory in west Belfast. The contract was signed during the Lib-Lab pact of the late 1970s.
Bruce Naughton
Edinburgh
LIKE Ruth Davidson, Willie Rennie just can’t resist a photo opp where he’s riding or driving something. But at least LibDem policy didn’t end up with 50,000 losing their DeLoreans, unlike the brass-necked Davidson, who recently posed on a motability vehicle after taking them from disabled people. And seeing the DeLorean reminded me to listen to the excellent concept album about the car by Neon Neon, so at least Rennie is good for something.
Theresa Kane
Edinburgh
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Ditch unequal Union for union of European equals
A TACTICALLY strong move by the SNP to await the outcome of Brexit (SNP manifesto calls for second referendum at the end of Brexit process,The National, May 30). But whether it is a May Brexit or a Corbyn Brexit, it makes no difference. After June 8 the initial exit negotiations will start.
We in Scotland voted to Remain. Let us await and see. SNP supporters wary of the EU: beware. Which union would give Scotland the right of veto, a seat in a Council of Ministers and a position of primus inter pares? Certainly not the “incorporating Union of 1707”. That was a takeover by Westminster and a capitulation of the land-owning classes in the early 18th century in a typical political fashion of the day called “jobbery”.
Scotland is still incorporated into the English political system.
UK is a smokescreen. As power devolved even today can be revoked, Holyrood can expect no defence from the Unionist placemen and women there. The Unionist loyalists are subservient to Westminster. There is one Tory MSP at Holyrood who even claimed she does not recognise the rights of Holyrood.
The outcome of Brexit, if any, will determine the nature of the format of indyref2. Still, the question is still the same. At the ballot box, do you want May/Corbyn or do you want MPs who will be for Scotland?
The red, yellow and blue Tories will be for whatever Westminster will come up with.
Cameron and the Tories have led the UK into a cul-de-sac. Scotland voted to Remain. Time to ditch this Union.
John Edgar
Blackford
THE SNP Government must explain clearly to everybody the necessity of being, and preferably, remaining, in the EU.
As a retired EU official of some 25 years standing, I continue to be astonished how ill informed so many people are concerning the aims, functions, successes and limitations of the EU. So many opinions are misinterpretations or ignorance of events and many are blighted by pure blind party political dogma.
The allegation that the EU is an authoritarian organisation dominated by the IMF and the Bundesbank is of course just pure rubbish. The European Commission, the civil service of the EU, is the guardian of the treaties and has the right of proposing policy and legislation. The European Parliament, where all members are elected from the various member states, scrutinises all Commission proposals. The European Council is similarly made up of the heads of state, prime ministers and ministers, all of whom having been elected in their various countries, and they make the final decisions. The Bundesbank plays no direct part in the functioning of the EU as that is the role of the EU Central Bank, which controls the euro. The IMF is a sister international organisation, such as the UN, World Bank, the ILO, WHO etc, but it plays no direct part at all in the EU’s internal affairs.
It is very interesting that the person representing the European Parliament at the Brexit negotiations is the ex-prime minister of Belgium, another small country. The fact is that as a member of the EU, Scotland would have far more influence than it ever will have at Westminster. In the EU this “them and us” attitude is looked upon disdainfully, the aim being for collaboration in the common good. Of course there are diverse opinions but there is always the opportunity to find allies in other countries which have similar views.
People have to understand the difference between an ideal world and the real world. It is all very well striving for the former but in the latter progress can only be made by compromise, which demands patience, comprehension, flexibility and most importantly diplomacy.
If Scotland were to remain outside of the EU, we would have just turned our back on the largest market in the world. This would have a dreadful effect on all those involved in exporting and trading with the EU. There will be the loss of grants and subsidies from the agriculture, social and regional development funds, none of which could be replaced by either Westminster or Edinburgh. Our universities would lose funding for their internationally respected research and our students would lose the opportunity to study abroad as the Erasmus project would no longer be open to them. Some have suggested copying Norway but even a Norwegian prime minister pointed out that as well as having to pay an enormous contribution, they have to meet all EU standards in any dealings and have no influence at all in the decisions taken in Brussels.
I have no desire to live in the northern part of an island cut off from friends and allies just to sink into poverty and despair. I would strongly recommend those who would vote for independence but who would currently say no to Europe to better inform themselves and to reconsider their decision.
Hugh H McLean
Newton Mearns
WHAT a remarkable juxtaposition in Perth. Inside the concert hall a 48 page SNP manifesto detailing a way forward for our country. Outside a motley band of Tory supporters fronted by Murdo Fraser holding placards asking the electorate to vote for them to say no to a referendum. Perhaps they were just waiting for the other 47 placards detailing their policies to arrive. I suppose it is difficult to put a positive spin on Mobility cars being removed, benefits being withdrawn, the rape clause, a disastrous Brexit and a PM who has an inability to speak with any voice which dares challenge her.
Graeme Finnie
Blairgowrie
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