IT must be apparent to all, even those stalwart supporters of the Conservative and Unionist Party, that the Union is broken beyond repair.
Even if there was a willingness to repair it, the small but powerful group within the Conservative Government that wrestled control of the steering wheel away from the old guard are now squabbling amongst themselves.
Iain Duncan-Smith and others in the extreme Brexit gang who have incomes based on investments are at odds with the other more centrist group that favour continuing furlough payment, allowing businesses to survive, this next four weeks. They don’t want a lockdown.
Steve Baker, a man who can read data and graphs, was brought in as arbiter. He agrees with the Sage advice and commented “yes there is a problem, we had better do something. Lockdown is the plan”.
Enter Michael Gove, who is starting the slow stabbing of Boris in the back, by casting doubt on Alexander the Great’s November lockdown by saying it could be extended for more than the four weeks. It appears Johnson has lost it – “it” being the control of his Cabinet and his party and, of course, government.
That’s not easy when you have an 80-seat majority. Just the thing needed when the whole world is the middle of a pandemic.
By all accounts, Boris needs a better-paid job, so he’ll be off next year. UN maybe?
Alistair Ballantyne
Angus
I PROMISED that I would carry out a survey of the prevalence or otherwise of Union flags on retail outlet shelves.
I have done so, and the results so far are very interesting and surprising.
I carried out the survey by quickly walking down the aisles looking from side to side, taking about 20 seconds. I obviously only picked up on striking and large logos.
On seven surveys taken on average in the late morning and visiting three establishments – some more than once – I have noted five Union flags and 14 Saltires. I will continue with the other establishments, but if this trend continues I will desist and check again in a month’s time.
Victor Moncrieff
via email
IN ANSWER to the letter writers muddying the water the same as before the 2014 referendum, by asking the same questions. Here are some possible answers: currency – a Scottish pound as already issued by the three banks with their registered office in Scotland. A Scottish treasury could also issue these.
The official border would be the existing one, with border controls, the same as other countries.
All the waters around Scotland will now revert to Scotland, all oil and gas exploration and production agreements. All taxes collected from the same. All the fishing rights.
Agricultural produce would be to Scottish standards and marked accordingly,
Scotland would have no debt to England, otherwise, Scotland would have to be paid a share of the entire assets of Great Britain.
Scotland already has a constitution the Scottish people are sovereign. All major decisions would be put to a referendum, the same as many other countries.
As Trident missiles are leased from America, send them home.
Scotland will have armed forces suitable for its needs.
On the day of the vote, if it is for an independent country, Scotland will immediately become independent and the country of Great Britain will cease to exist.
Scotland will set all taxes, collect all taxes, spend all taxes for the benefit of the people of Scotland.
William Purves
Galashiels
OUR First Minister is completely right that Brexit should be shelved for the duration of the pandemic. That is, she is completely right all things being equal – which they most definitely are not.
What if there are Brexit proponents that don’t play to the same rules? What if there are independence opponents who are happy to use the pandemic to pursue their own ends? And what if these ends mean using ruthless opportunism to severely compromise Scotland’s power to be in charge of its own health service, education and judiciary? If so, surely proaction is needed and urgently.
Nicola and her Covid team could carry on her excellent work, whilst at the same time a strong, parallel and equally important team could be dedicated solely to spear-heading the protection of Scotland’s wider interests, including our health. This team would be totally focused and devote all its energy to freeing Scotland in time.
The new team could perhaps be headed by our deputy first minister, a good organiser who would quietly listen and be confident enough to hold steady against the storm. John Swinney would of course keep in touch with Nicola, who would trust him to get on with this job.
Scotland already has a mandate for independence by virtue of having majority support in the Scottish Parliament. Let it act decisively lest while “fiddling” with Covid.
Valerie Waters
East Lothian
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel