LAST week I decided to travel to visit a very close friend in Switzerland. Both of us had been mentally anguished by Covid. Yet both aware we were, thankfully, not victims of the awful pain of those who suffered physically.
Getting into the confederation was straightforward, with an easy online form to fill in, although I was dismayed at getting a passport stamp, formally declaring me a non-EU/EEA citizen despite my country voting 62% to remain in this zone.
My friend was late arriving at Basil Airport due to roadworks. Oh, that is a Swiss airport entirely in France. But Basil city has a train station which is part of Germany. These friends have no problems with these idiosyncrasies – xenophobic Brits do.
READ MORE: Michel Barnier says shortages in Britain are 'direct consequence' of Brexit
My friend, kind of apologising for being late as we drove, commented: “Our roads have no holes”. I responded: “Aye we have nuclear weapons and roads of a third-world standard; and a British government ready for war rather than care for domestic chores. Our roads and public transport are a disgrace in European standards.”
An amazing journey we had from the Italian-speaking Tecino to Montreux via German-speaking areas. All content and confident in their wee country. Certainly since the mid 19th century they made progress to work together and now have a society of contentedness. Normal trains that run on gradients beyond the Brit ability. Why? And why does Scotland accept an inferior government to control our progress and internationalism?
I felt embarrassment throughout. “Why did you vote for Brexit?” I was asked. I never, our country voted to remain. “But you left, are you not Scottish – you are UK?”. Our votes were counted as Scotland, but our country (Alba) ignored our democracy.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer pledges to 'make Brexit work' - but what does that mean?
The Scottish Government merely follow instructions from London. And those in the Scottish Government are content with what they have; not what folk voted them for.
All these thoughts went away while I was enjoying my time in the wee landlocked island. I saw a few bits of litter and almost a pothole. A bit like spotting eagles or otters in Scotland.
On leaving Switzerland there was another extremely strict passport control – I had two checks and stamps in my passport, for the first time leaving any country this century. Meanwhile EEA/EU citizens could freely move around.
Scottish tourism will drop by 40% from the EU/EEA in 2021, all due to the Scottish Government accepting Brexit. They could have been defiant, but parish councils aren’t.
EU/EEA citizens until now could travel to the UK colony of Scotland with ID cards only. From October it is full passports. Consider a family of four in any EU country, faced with a passport cost of €500 or visit – let’s go to Ireland instead. No disrespect to Ireland – oops they can visit Northern Ireland too without a passport, but not colonial Scotland. We deserve no more for being meek!
The Scottish Government say they are trying for independence. Well, not until their fat salaries and feeling of self-importance dry up.
And I am fed up by their inaction.
Bryan Clark
Maybole
AT last, news that convinces me that Yes will win the next referendum. The young in Germany gave the Greens a huge increase in support, which puts them in with every chance of power in a coalition government.
The threats of climate change have become a reality now to a significant enough proportion of the electorate to propel the Greens into a position of power they have never enjoyed before. The Scots will be no different at the next election – political changes of this nature do not occur in isolation, there is every indication they will be worldwide.
READ MORE: Michael Fry: This is why the result of the German election matters here in Scotland
Nicola has wisely bided her time despite considerable pressure from within her own ranks and now can go for it with added certainty. It has taken seven years to move 5% in the polls. The German election has changed this slow upward climb for good. With the SNP/Green coalition in effect and a worldwide change in voting patterns in progress, we can now look forward to certain success for Yes.
W MacRae
Melrose
IAN Gordon’s excellent letter (Sep 28) hitting the nail on the head regarding Angela Rayner and her use of the derogatory word scum made me look closer at its meaning. Two definitions in particular drew my attention: “The scoria of metals in a molten state: dross” (D Ross, how appropriate!), and “a low,vile or worthless person or group of people” (again very appropriate). This in turn made me think of our pathetic Scottish Tories and their Scottish Conservative Unionist Mentality ... yes, you’ve got it ... SCUM for short!
Robin MacLean
Fort Augustus
THE UK PM is often accused of being behind the curve in dealing with problems but I have to admire his genius. He withdrew our forces from Afghanistan so they can guard the home front, drive ambulances, supply petrol and put toilet rolls on the supermarket shelves.
Kenneth Burnett
Aberdeen
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