I WISH Mrs May would cease saying “Brexit means Brexit”. This totally meaningless response to the perfectly reasonable question about the shape of the UK following detachment from Europe requires a reasonable response. Her repetition of the above is insulting.

However, the Prime Minister was given short shrift by several important countries at the G20 conference in China, not least was the threat by Japan of removing 140,000 jobs from the UK if a satisfactory settlement with the EU could not be achieved. There is no doubt that access to the huge European market would have been part of the negotiations with the Japanese and other countries who have businesses in the UK. They will feel seriously let down, as does Scotland.

Messrs Johnson, Fox, Davies, Gove and Farage may have caused irreparable damage to the UK with their deceit.

Mike Underwood, Linlithgow

I FELT sick in my stomach yesterday hearing the Eurosceptics cheer and roar as David Davis spoke. They forget Japan are threatening to pull the plug on major investment based in England – then what? David Davis say’s he’s coming to Scotland soon. I’d like to know what he’s being doing for two months.

Stephen Kelly, Address supplied

A PICTURE worth a thousand words as Teresa May is relegated to the fringes of the second tier in photographs released of world leaders at the G20 Summit.

Douglas Turner, Edinburgh

THERE are many instances of the disrespect for, and even contempt in which, Scotland and its Westminster politicians are held by the Westminster Conservative government. Here are three prominent examples:

Theresa May’s first Prime Minister’s Questions saw her adopting a default Margaret Thatcher mien, frowning like a frosty school mistress to her right and across to where the Scottish Nationalist MP’s – representing almost every constituency in the country of Scotland, mind – sat. She told them crossly that Scotland should shut up – it had had its say in the independence referendum. I wondered who the blazes she thought she was talking to.

Then there was the speaker, Mr Bercow, prissily telling our MPs not to clap.

Top of my list though, was David Cameron on the morning of September 15, 2014, announcing what was to become EVEL.

“Yah! Boo! Sucks! Fooled Ya!”

For our own self-respect we must leave these people to their own devices.

Victor Moncrieff, Lanark

OWEN Smith has said that there is “no need or desire” for a second independence referendum. This came two days after he had told Radio Scotland that he would not oppose one. “Scottish” Labour’s 2016 Holyrood manifesto pledge was to oppose a second referendum.

Back in April, Labour’s Scottish branch manager Kezia Dugdale said she would consider supporting independence if there was a vote to leave the EU. In the aftermath of the Brexit vote, Scottish Labour held a summit at which the option of supporting a second independence referendum was discussed. Kezia even gave a speech saying it would be “categorically wrong” for the UK Government to block a second referendum

Since then Kezia Dugdale has now said she is opposed to a second referendum. Her deputy and Macbeth in waiting Alex Rowley has said the he is not opposed to the holding of a second independence referendum. Frank McAveety and Anas Sarwar both oppose one and Jackie Baillie said “all options” were being looked at.

Meanwhile Gordon Brown has again popped his head up to declare that what he promises during the last independence campaign (federalism) will be implemented if and when a 2nd referendum is called.

So depending on what day it is and which person is asked, Labour is both in favour of and opposed to indyref2. With such farce, it is hard to understand why Owen Smith can’t fathom the fits of laughter that he endured when he said Kezia was doing a “fantastic job”

Alan Hinnrichs, Dundee

I HAVE to add my agreement to Allan Sutherland’s disappointment with the national survey content. (Letters, Sep 5). Like him, I looked at every question and wondered if I was simply being a bit dim when I thought every topic would score a 10 for importance.

I’d like indyref2 soon, and I’ll vote Yes in it. Am I supposed to think that some of these topics are therefore more or less important?

Maybe a more public explanation would help numpties like me.

Donald McGregor, Edinburgh

THE Scottish Association of Landlords is warning that higher taxes will “force a large number of landlords to sell, reducing much needed housing supply” (Tax switch ‘will hit tenants’, The National, September 5). If housing associations were to buy these properties, surely the supply of housing would in fact remain the same? The only difference would be fewer buy-to-let landlords earning money for nothing while tenants struggle just to pay the rent.

Kelly O’Neill, Livingstone


Letters II: We should lead the way in developing renewables storage