HOW can it be that, no matter how many idiocies and disasters have gone before, I can still be disbelieving at the next? I think I am now devoid of words to express my feelings – shock, disgust, anger, frustration, all are inadequate.

For many, many months everyone with any sense has known that if the Delta variant of Covid were allowed free rein, it would mutate into something potentially even more dangerous. The only defence was to spread the vaccines as widely and as swiftly as possible to hinder that process. That this mutation was even more likely anywhere without that protection was equally well-known.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon warns Omicron variant may delay second independence referendum

Yet the rich countries, while acting in their own populations, ignored the patently obvious fact that leaving Covid rampant in poor countries would provide the ideal breeding ground for a variant. In the UK, our lords and masters even cancelled orders for millions of vaccines, such as Valneva, which could have been given to those needy countries, if not required here. Moreover, they have refused to ensure that patent protections are, at least temporarily, suspended to allow faster, wider, affordable distribution around the world.

We are now vulnerable to a variant developed in a poor country that we made no effort to help vaccinate to safety.

As if that folly is not sufficient, these wise rulers now intend to introduce testing, and quarantine, for those coming in from other countries – from Tuesday! So they think it fine for folk who may be carrying the variant to come in freely before then, to spread it around. Why not testing from the moment we know of the danger? Could it be that they had not thought that far ahead, and it will take that long to put things in place? We knew this would be coming. So why no contingency plans for immediate implementation? Cost/profit before health?

Don’t even get me started on the call for “unity” with France and the rest of the EU in the refugee crisis. Is that not what the Brexiteers so recently decided voluntarily to give up?

L McGregor
Falkirk

SUNDAY’S article by Stuart Cosgrove on civil disobedience was interesting, as I have been saying for some time now that some form of catalyst will be needed too take the independence movement to the next stage, whatever that might be (Civil disobedience can be a useful tool, but it is the right time for Scots?, Nov 28).

If we look at movements around the world, it hasn’t been the polite and well-organised or sanctioned events, rallies or marches that have brought about change. Not that these don’t have their place in getting a message to the masses, but it’s when either the local or national government is caught reading last week’s newspaper that tends to get the results. The poll tax marches and the civil rights movement in America are prime examples of that, as Stuart highlighted in his article.

READ MORE: Stuart Cosgrove: Civil disobedience can be a useful tool, but is it the right time for Scots?

We in the independence movement – and I include myself – seem content to sit back and do nothing to change the future of Scotland. Yes, we attend rallies and go out campaigning, and while Boris didn’t want any Saltires in Glasgow during COP26 we had thousands on show for the world to see. However, we are still allowing Westminster and the Conservative Party, not to mention the other Unionists, to dictate to Scotland. The unfortunate thing is that we will go on accepting it at the same time as hoping things will change for the better. Hope doesn’t bring change, you have to make it happen!

We complain that every article and clause in The Treaty and Act of Union has been broken, but we give tacit agreement which makes it okay. We allow Unionist propaganda and inaccuracies to prevail and flourish. We even allow Boris to dictate when the next referendum should take place, if Peppa Pig gives him the okay, and we are allowing him to dismantle devolution. The list goes on, but it comes to a point where we have two choices: we either stand up and be counted, or we sit back and do nothing then discover that it’s far too late to do anything about it. It’s the actions of a nation that will take us where we want to go.

Alexander Potts
Kilmarnock

ASYLUM seekers, migrants, displaced persons and those fleeing from hunger, persecution or famine – this is tragically nothing new. It is and has been a fact of life for centuries.

Time to get used to it and respond as many countries have done in the past, namely, to open doors and stretch out the hand of welcome.

We can look back and see such past events. Ugandan Asians fleeing from Idi Amin. The Irish Potato famine and millions displaced or dying from disease and hunger. The Kindertransport with people breaking our laws at times to bring them in. Embassy officials breaking the law to give people passes to get to the UK prior to 1939. Post-1945, millions of people were displaced in Europe and were resettled.

READ MORE: SNP MPs will bring vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson

Further back to near the end of the 17th century, French Huguenots fled France. A large number were offered asylum in Berlin, the Brandenburg-Prussian capital grew in size and about one-third of its citizens were of French descent. Others were given a safe haven in other countries. Such help is the norm!

We are only on this earth for a short time. The events we are witnessing are not new! If we cannot assist, then we are utterly bereft of humanity and decency.

Britain was a haven for many over the centuries. The Brexit pandemic has distorted minds and fundamental values about care for others, aided by the gutter press.

It is a ghastly sight to behold when the current Home Secretary, herself from a family which sought refuge here, seems to be incapable of empathy and sympathy for men, women and children hoping to find a safe haven here.

John Edgar
Kilmaurs