MY council, North Ayrshire Council, has published its worst-case scenario contingency plans for a No-Deal Brexit.

It includes: a high likelihood of greater unemployment; a fall in disposable income; greater demand on food banks; a slowdown in the housing market; and less public services from the government. Manufacturing companies are four times more exposed to the impact of a No-Deal Brexit. It will be increasingly hard to attract investment into North Ayrshire.

No-Deal Brexit would also increase the cost of fruit and veg, meat and dairy products.

The Scottish Government has given £500,000 for food banks to Fairshare, of which North Ayrshire Council is a member.

There will be Christmas and Black Friday problems because of reduction in the flow of goods for three to six months. Travel delays are likely for a period of three to six months. Lack of available products will mean price increases. 
There will be increased immigration checks at EU borders. There will possibly be an increase of waste crime, increased opportunities for organised crime, particularly human slavery, and greater sectarian tensions.

This is worst-case hopefully never to be enacted. All councils have carried out the same exercise. Can I suggest everyone contact their local council?

And can someone tell me at what point did Boris, Nigel or Michael Gove tell us this type of planning would even be needed?

David Ritchie
North Ayrshire

 

THE leader of the LibDems, Jo Swinson, stated at their conference that if they win a majority of the seats at the next General Election they will revoke Article 50, stopping Brexit and overturning the referendum result. This is a hypocritical standpoint, as whenever indyref2 – which they say they will block – is brought up they are quick to quote that the 2014 referendum was a “once-in-a-lifetime vote” and that we should respect and accept the result. 

David Cameron said that the EU referendum would be a once-in-a-generation choice and the choice of the people would be final. He also said: “If we vote to leave, then we will leave. There will not be another renegotiation and another referendum”. I have yet to hear the LibDems make reference to what David Cameron said then.

The sooner Scotland can regain its independence and start making its own decisions and shaping our own destiny the better.

Gordon Walker
via email

I WAS rather disappointed watching First Minister’s Questions last week, that in answer to Jackson Carlaw’s crowing about the five type 31 frigates going to be built at Rosyth, the First Minister did not a) correct him as to the fact that these frigates would be assembled here, not built, and b) remind him of the 13 type 26’s and three support vessels that were promised by his government five years ago.

The BBC also ran with this story, but I noticed that they made reference to a “lifeline” for Harland and Wolf of Belfast in Babcock winning this order. Are we to assume that the few recent meetings with the DUP are the reason that this contract was devised in this way ?

Jim Mc Gregor
Kirkintilloch

LAST week I had lunch with a German friend who is both a lawyer and historian. In discussing the shambles of Brexit and the decision of the Court of Session that the prorogation of parliament was illegal, she pointed out that in the 1930s the Nazi party prorogued the Reichstag, and then used the time to formulate policy and through rallies in Nuremberg spread their programme, which was enacted once the resumption of parliament took place. 

We should be proud of our independent Scottish judiciary but we should be very worried about the dictatorial powers assumed by our British Prime Minister which, if not stopped, may take this disunited kingdom beyond the point of no return.

Iain Whyte
North Queensferry

THE opinions of Michael Fry on the worldwide subsidising of agriculture are typical of those who understand little other than finance and economics; efficiency at any cost (Scotland’s farming industry would learn to thrive without subsidies, September 16). After a lifetime’s farming and a spell in Scottish National Farmers Union politics in both Westminster and Brussels, I shake my head. 

READ MORE: Scotland’s farming industry would learn to thrive without subsidies

Food production falls into fewer hands thanks to multinational control of inputs and output, modern farming methods, and a lack of insight at political level. The world’s soils, their natural fertility and the wildlife are in decline. Pressure mounts due to the speed of climate change, wild fires, sea level rise and chemical pollution. New systems requiring much less land are being developed. They will bring a change in the public’s diets – veggie burgers are just the first taste.

As I explained to Prime Minister Thatcher, ensuring the biodiversity of the soil should be our paramount concern in shaping farming support systems. 
“It’s not cost-effective,” she snapped. I suspect Michael Fry would agree. 
Concerned over methane, climate change and your oil shares? Kill the cattle and keep driving. Extensive cattle systems build fertility, better still organic. The integration of cattle and forestry should be considered. As always, some commentators and politicians might benefit from getting their hands dirty and gaining an understanding of basic ecology. Only total independence from Westminster on all agricultural, environmental and climate issues will allow us to introduce a model of integrated, sustainable policies.

Iain R Thomson
Strathglass