We need to start saving our time and energy for ‘Sexit'

It suddenly dawned on me, that I and all like me are wasting our time, energy and possibly sleep over something in which we have no say, control or even interest in. The Brexit deal that is being debated in Westminster has nothing to do with Scotland and Westminster will decide the outcome regardless of those who oppose it, so be it. Why go on peeing against the wind? It is us who will get our feet wet. Brexit is going to happen. Sometimes life is like that. Let us forget about going into another Flodden knowing we full well cannot win. Selkirk being my birthplace, I am very much aware of the outcome of the Flodden Battle. Let us save our energy and intelligence for the more important conquest, what I call Sexit, Scottish exit from the UK and re-unification with Europe and beyond. Keep in mind that Scots apart from our SNP representatives have no friends in Westminster, currently we have to live with that.

Dave Beveridge
Scottish Borders

A FEW weeks ago I watched a programme called Dynasties about a troop of chimpanzees and I was struck by the similarities to the present Tory government. The leader of the group was called funnily enough David. He had recently been given a bit of a going over by members in his own family (no confidence vote) and, badly wounded, it was difficult to see him continuing. However, he enlisted the backing of a couple of loyal supporters, these chimps were going to go down fighting with their leader in the final battle. The main rival for leader was a massive chimpanzee who seemed to roam about screeching, threatening but not doing much. Sat on the sidelines though was a much more canny chimp. Although outside the group he was happy to supply the ammunition and have others in the group use it. Then we had the small group of insignificant chimpanzees who would go with whichever group eventually triumphed. they would keep a low profile and say Yes to whatever the question was with no loyalty whatsoever. They wouldn’t resign from any group no matter how many red lines were crossed.

David rallied and won a pyrrhic victory. He lasted another couple of weeks before the troop regrouped and ended his reign.

I will leave readers to insert their own characters to this Clusterbourach.

Hector Maclean
Glasgow

EVEN in the days of William Wallace, we Scots regarded ourselves as belonging to the European community of nations. In the EU referendum of 2016 Scotland voted decisively to remain, however we are to be dragged out in accordance with the decision of English voters. As soon as this situation arose we had ample justification for holding a second independence referendum, but our First Minister decided to wait until the terms of Brexit became clear.

Westminster had presumably hoped to “negotiate” all the benefits of membership without any of the costs or responsibilities. Not unreasonably, the EU has now made it clear that out means out.

There need be no more procrastination. No need for further clarity. I respectfully suggest that our First Minister should name an early date for indyref2 so that Scotland may hopefully claim its place as an independent nation within the European Union.

Billy Scobie
Alexandria

SCOTLAND is described always as “a part of the UK”. England is never referred to in that way. Why? Because that latter is not how that part of the UK is regarded. When the job of a whole raft of experts in Westminster is to avoid inaccuracy of meaning by ensuring in official papers the correct placing of a comma here or a semi-colon there, the importance of semantics will be recognised. When the “interests of the whole of the UK”, the well-scripted phrase, is used what is meant is those of the larger part of the whole i.e. England. An examination of the dialogue, and in many instances the lack of same, between Holyrood and Westminster, since 2014, more so since 2016 and particularly in the House within the last few days, will very quickly dispel any contrary conclusion.

The sad fact concerning Scottish freedom from the domination and rhetoric of Westminster is that no party of government in London is likely to be sympathetic to Scotland’s aspirations. The realistic fact nevertheless is that only by realising them will Scotland achieve the success and status which are enjoyed by similar now independent countries. Independence from Westminster and the archaic disproportionate, damaging effects of its jealously guarded system, and its recent , witnessed shambles, is now an absolute priority for Scotland’s future.

J Hamilton
Bearsden