ON BBC Radio 4 yesterday morning, Chancellor Philip Hammond categorically stated that advice taken by the government shows that Britain will be economically worse off by leaving the EU.

That main proponent of Brexit – Nigel Farage – should surely now be asked to explain this, as his fantasy league economics – billions saved for this and that – was clearly just a wish list.

Malcolm Parkin
Kinross

THE Scottish Government’s latest version of “Scotland’s Place in Europe” is full of reasons why the May-EU deal would be bad for Scotland, but it lacks its own political declaration. It pins its faith on the UK staying in the single market/customs union, something England will never accept, or a possible second EU referendum, which might produce the same result as the first and would bind us to the result.

The way forward for Scotland is surely to join the EEA as a self-governing territory, with the possibility of joining the EU later as an independent state. But we need to hold our own referendum on the various options and act on its result as a sovereign people. And if that sovereignty might be challenged, we need to re-assert it in a revised Claim of Right, probably at the same time.

Whatever the result of Brexit, our constitutional rights have been badly dented by the UK Government in the process, and this must be addressed no later than the next Scottish election.

Robert Fraser
Edinburgh

I WRITE to thank Donald Anderson for his contribution in Wednesday’s Long Letter.

Like many I was taught very little about my country’s history whilst at school in the 60s. I was fed a diet of British propaganda in a system that made most Scottish working-class children feel inferior, and our betters spoke with posh accents and went to independent schools.

I have no idea how much of our own history both modern and ancient is on the curriculum, but I fear it may still have a very biased version. If we are to progress as a nation then we should start by educating our children in our own history warts and all, and not a cosy version that contains large amounts of some other country’s history.

I remember reading that to pacify a nation firstly you need to occupy it, then change its culture and history. We have been Anglicised over the last 300 years but it’s not to late to reverse this, and teaching our youngsters about their own people’s history would at least be a start.

Having been away from what was called education in my day, I can only hope the many things I missed out on are now part of the curriculum.

Bryan Auchterlonie
Perthshire

THE membership of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation should be deeply concerned at the cavalier attitude of their chief executive Bertie Armstrong in relation to Brexit.

His media performances, giving the benefit of the doubt to the May Deal, beggars belief.

While other EU members will be scheming and again making a mockery of the Scottish fishing industry, surely he should resign and prepare for his inclusion in the next honours list?

Sandy Coghill
Isle of Skye

I WAS glad to learn from Radio Scotland yesterday morning that the new Scottish Investment Bank will open in 2020 – a very welcome development, but this is a bank for business only. The people of Scotland urgently need a bank for everyday transactions and savings.

Where I live in Tain, the Clydesdale Bank and the Royal Bank have closed. We are told to use the local post office, a cramped wee spot in the RS McColl shop on the High Street which is closing on March 3 next year.

Many other towns, for example Lossiemouth, face a similar situation. What better time than now for the Scottish Government to develop plans for our own Scottish bank?

Many Scots are more than ready to use it, both for our own convenience and to support Scotland in the long run.

Susan Grant
Tain

YOUR business page reports on the First Minister opening a new potato chilling facility in Airdrie backed by £4 million of Scottish Government funding, and a good news story creating 35 jobs (Sturgeon opens new £17m Albert Bartlett potato chilling facility, November 27).

I recently purchased Albert Bartlett potatoes only to find the bag emblazoned with a Union Jack, despite being produced by a farm in Angus. Why not a Saltire motif? Another case of “Scotland the Brand” missing out.

John Macleod
Milngavie