I COMPLETELY agree with George Kerevan’s latest column (Time for the SNP to play hardball at Westminster, November 26).
The so-called deal that May is proposing to put before MPs seems to be “dead as a dodo” already, with MPs of all sides – even her side – against it. Nicola Sturgeon must soon come to a decision on another independence referendum date and will expect to get the “now is not the time” reply from May. If May continues to deny us our right to self-determination, then our SNP MPs must make a decision to use any means at their disposal to bring Westminster to a standstill. If this means shouting out “I object”, as one member continues to do in other debates, that is what they must do.
No doubt the mechanism of Westminster will be used to silence the views of our representatives, but there must be other measures we can take to disrupt proceedings. In the past filibustering MPs have caused delays, and we might have to resort to similar tactics to frustrate Westminster to the point they will be glad to see the back of us.
The walk-out in the past saw a surge in membership of the SNP and undoubtedly galvanised the Yes movements as well. Similar demonstrations, even to the point of another walk-out, would show the Scottish people that they are not going to be silenced, ignored, or sidelined.
Graham Smith
Arbroath
READ MORE: Time for the SNP to play hardball at Westminster
HURRAH for Ian Blackford, our SNP leader in the Commons! On Monday, questioning Mrs May on her Brexit deal, he stood solidly behind our 40-year-old policy which has denounced the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and always held that an SNP government would never accept the loss of Scottish international fishing rights as a coastal state.
We have never, in council or conference, changed that policy decision, not even amended it to deal with the clash it might cause with the decision that we would wish to become a member of a reformed EU (though without any details of the reforms we would demand or any hope that we could get them).
So Ian Blackford has declared that we would not accept any negotiation away of Scottish sovereignty on fishing. And by that statement he is laying down a challenge to the EU – we want to be a member when we achieve our independence, but that application will be dependent on total and permanent derogation from the CFP, and also (probably) from the euro, which carries with it the unacceptable rules on budgets and borrowing. Mark you, I am not too sanguine about our application, on these conditions, finding agreement from Spain (and now France).
Gerry Fisher
Oban
READ MORE: WATCH: Ian Blackford hits out at Theresa May's Brexit plan
THE Brexit deal now on the table is far from complete, and unclear about a number of issues including, but not confined to, Northern Ireland borders, Gibraltar and fishing policy. Is this really an “agreement”? It looks more like agreeing to differ to me. It also appears we are paying £39 billion to end our EU membership and at the same time leaving many powers in the EU’s hands, giving them a veto over changes in the future.
In spite of this, the government still insists there are only two choices on the table: the “May deal” or a hard Brexit. The third choice, to suspend Article 50 and continue membership of the EU, is ruled out, despite opinion polls showing this is more popular with the public than either of the other two choices and the EU saying it would not penalise the UK if it changed its mind.
With allegations that the Leave campaign was funded with dark money, possibly from overseas, illegal under electoral law, and the statement during the campaign that our contribution to the EU was £350 million a week, a clear lie, isn’t it time to be re-examine the case for leaving? Parliament has been promised a “meaningful vote”, but to be truly meaningful all three options should be on the table. More importantly, can we trust either of the large parties whose leaderships are inherently anti-EU and who are not listening to the concerns of the people they are supposed to represent? For those who claim a second vote would be undemocratic, let us remind ourselves that democracy is government of, by and for the people. To insist the people do not have the right to change their minds is evidence of dictatorship, not democracy.
Pete Rowberry
Duns
WHENEVER I hear the words “precious union” I am reminded of Gollum from Lord of the Rings. It is indeed precious to the English cabal because under its pretence they asset-strip Scotland of its electronics, fisheries, gas, oil, renewables, tourism, whisky and other revenues to maintain their ailing, failing regime on its life support system. An ailing regime that is top-heavy with people who are unable to function without a concocted title, who spend their time strutting the world being self-important, and who dump their weapons of total extermination on another country so their own children can sleep at night.
These hypocrites whine about Scots wanting to break up their “precious union” and put up borders while they are breaking up the EU and throwing up their own frontiers and controls. Yes, a union is only “precious” so long as the English regime is the one in control and dictating. We, the Scottish nation, must come to our senses soon and end this poisonous dictatorship.
Linda Horsburgh
Dundee
I READ with interest Andrew Learmonth’s special report (PM faces nightmare before Christmas, November 26) and wondered if the PM should, as a matter of urgency, telephone Ikea. She could explain to them that as her cabinet is collapsing and no longer fit for purpose, she would be eternally grateful if they would provide her with a brand new one via their express delivery service!
Thomas L Inglis
Fintry
READ MORE: Theresa May faces Brexit deal nightmare before Christmas
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