WHY is the Scottish government failing to comply with the expressed sovereign will of the people of Scotland?
The Scottish Parliament was not abolished in 1707, it merely stopped sitting. Since the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, sovereignty has resided with the people and the recall of the (fully empowered) Scottish Parliament is solely a decision for the Scottish people.
The recall of the Scottish Parliament in compliance with the wishes of the Scottish people is constitutionally correct and its legitimacy is unchallengeable in any court in the land. Nor do the terms of the Treaty of Union indicate anywhere that the recall of the Scottish Parliament has to be organised or sanctioned by Westminster.
Scotland’s right to self-determination is upheld by Scottish constitutional law and supported by international law. Scotland does not require permission, from any organisation outside our own country, to recall our parliament. Nor do we need another referendum, for the will of the people has been adequately expressed in multiple mandates.
Westminster does not have the constitutional authority to counter the expressed will of the Scottish people. There was no union of the national parliaments of Scotland and England under the Acts in 1706 and the 1707 Treaty of Union.
Robert Ingram
via email
AS readers of Hamish MacPherson’s historical articles must realise, down the centuries royal aspirations and religion have been the two main drivers of warfare and much human misery.
In yesterday’s column Michael Fry wonders, how typical are those who want Scotland to be a pacifist nation? Whilst the royals give pleasure and titles to those of sycophantic inclinations, others believe they should stop shooting grouse, using tax havens and quietly drop out of society. As far as modern warfare is concerned, the royals are irrelevant. We have crossed a watershed, mass destruction is at the press of a one-finger digital button. The question now for the human race is the difference between intelligent behaviour and stupidity. Let an independent Scotland opt for our fabled enlightenment.
Iain R Thomson
Strathglass
ON October 25 you published a story titled “How Nigerian End Sars protests and BLM reveal global fights”. We commend your willing-ness to shed light on important issues such as this and adding to the voice of the Nigerian youth.
However, the article draws a connection between the protests against police brutality in Nigeria and Eko Atlantic City, the ongoing project on the coast of Lagos developed by South Energyx Nigeria Ltd. It makes the following claims:
1. “Only a few weeks before Nigerian forces opened fire and killed protesters in Lagos, Daniel Bertrand, the Belgian ambassador, visited Eko Atlantic City, also in Lagos. These events are not disconnected.”
2. It refers to information about the project as “modern imperialism, shrouded in progressive veneer.”
3. It says: “Like the gated communities in Lagos, investors are capitalising on what is a gateway to the emerging markets of the continent. But ordinary Nigerians are not to reap any benefits. Instead, they are subjugated by the state.”
It is disappointing that the author made these claims without contacting us for comments and doing the due diligence required.
There is more nuance to building a city of this scale than the one-size-fits-all image portrayed in the article. The connection between the Belgian ambassador’s visit and the protests in Lagos is incomprehensible. We have had several visits from presidents and ambassadors from a range of countries. We have also had visits from hundreds of schools, universities, NGOs, companies etc. These visits are the norm for us because we make the project available for all.
The article’s claim that “ordinary Nigerians are not to reap any benefits” is false. The project already employs thousands of Nigerians and will create more jobs for centuries to come. It makes use of local content and production, all of which add to the Nigerian economy in many ways.
Furthermore, Eko Atlantic City already contributes to the Nigerian entertainment sectors, which has significant job-creation potential. We are already seeing this play out through collaborations with local filmmakers and entertainment entrepreneurs. Over the years, we have hosted events aimed at promoting the welfare and diverse cultural lifestyle of Lagos.
We have plans for a technology hub, tapping into the growth of the local ecosystem, as well as an education hub that will provide world-class learning for young Nigerians. We are also working on energy-efficient power solutions which will ultimately raise the standard of living.
We take pride in the level of knowledge transfer that has happened since the inception of the project and we will appreciate it if your publication more accurately and fairly reflects the reality and nuances of Eko Atlantic City.
David I Adeleke
Head of Communications, Eko Atlantic City
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