Scottish Daily Mail

Puerile politician­s must grow up fast. Brexit isn’t a game!

-

AT LEAST Theresa May’s approach to Brexit is pragmatic and better than what seems to be the alternativ­e proposal of taking your ball and going home.

Despite the puerile activity at Westminste­r, which does nothing but bring shame on this country, no one has had the courage to challenge her leadership. The Westminste­r creche needs to grow up — this isn’t a game!

The powers-that-be have a moral obligation to deliver Brexit. A second referendum must be opposed because it would have a destructiv­e effect on the democratic principles of this country.

The danger is that Britain is heading for a No Deal, cliff-edge, crash out of the EU.

Mathematic­ally, 27 EU member countries beats one. And a minority government constantly sniped at by its own MPs is in no position to negotiate. The EU will never allow cherry picking, because this would make it easier for other member states to leave. It will protect its own interests, and why on earth wouldn’t it?

When Jaguar Land Rover and Airbus make post-Brexit contingenc­y plans, this is not an idle threat, an attempt at Project fear Mark II or a bid to obtain a second referendum. These multimilli­on-pound companies are not in the business of politics; their top priority is to protect margins.

If they relocate to other EU countries, the domino effect on the British economy will be significan­t. Where does that leave the Brexit dividend?

d. n. GRAnt, Ludlow, shropshire.

Petulant princesses

NIGHTS out in St Tropez, skiing in Verbier, yacht parties — it must be a very hard life for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie (Mail).

I really feel sorry for them having to wear expensive clothes and live a life of luxury — yeah, right!

It’s time they stopped whingeing and realised how lucky they are to be in their positions. Perhaps they would like to swap places with ordinary folk for a while, who have to work all sorts of hours and travel in overcrowde­d trains or drive through rush-hour traffic. Then they might have something to moan about.

AndY RHodEs, derby. If LIfE is so difficult being a princess, why don’t Beatrice and Eugenie make it easy on themselves and relinquish their titles?

B. G. RoBBins, Portishead, somerset.

Radio 4 turn-off

HAS BBC Radio 4’s Today programme had its day (Mail)? It is losing listeners because the BBC is too Left-wing and does not have any decent and fair interviewe­rs. People are switching to programmes that care about their listeners’ views.

The gender pay gap may have had an influence, but I fear the main reason for the fall in listeners is the BBC’s political attitude. Once upon a time it was renowned for impartiali­ty, but no longer. It’s time to scrap the licence fee so people can instead pay for broadcasts that suit their opinions.

M. snoWLinG, address supplied.

Charmed by chivalry

I AM SORRY writer Nick Booth was roundly rebuffed when he offered a pregnant woman his seat on a crowded train (femail).

I have fractured my knee and am on crutches. Travelling home from London on the hottest day of the year on a packed train due to the guards’ strike, I was immediatel­y offered a seat by a young man. My response was a huge grin.

Earlier that day, I had hailed a taxi outside the offices of Rethink, the mental illness charity, having signed up as a volunteer.

I told the cabbie that my young son took his life nine years ago and I wanted to offer my help. He refused to take my fare and asked for it to be given to the charity.

If pregnant women and those with disabiliti­es or even carrying heavy bags engage with those around them, they would be surprised at the reaction. It works wonders and in no way indicates a lack of status or is demeaning.

P. PEACoCK, Petersfiel­d, Hants.

Wrong priorities

The SNP Government prides itself on increasing support for independen­ce from 25 per cent to 45 per cent in its 11 years in power.

Over the past 15 years there’s been negligible change in the poor Scots diet, particular­ly in more deprived areas – 65 per cent of us are overweight, 29 per cent obese, a significan­t strain on the NHS.

Imagine if Nicola Sturgeon put as much effort into improving the nation’s diet as she does into breaking up the UK. That would be a positive outcome for devolution.

MARtin REdfERn, Edinburgh.

Pension betrayal

HOW can former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb advise people against buying a property to provide for their retirement — in case its value falls (Mail)?

He has seen at first hand the devastatio­n inflicted on private sector pensions since 1997. Millions of pensions have been reduced by as much as half, including mine. How I wish I’d bought property with the money.

K. JACQUEs, stafford.

Too much front

KATHERINE PERRY may be a clever clogs, as she proved on University Challenge, but what possessed her to wear an outfit that showed so much of her cleavage (Mail)?

Anyone on TV is fodder for those on social media who like to share their opinions on all matters trivial, and such an outfit is simply inviting criticism. Ms Perry should let her brains do her talking. dAVid PAtRiCK MooRE,

thornton Heath, surrey.

Savers overlooked

BANKS and building societies will pass on interest rate rises to borrowers almost immediatel­y. What is disgracefu­l is they never pass on the full interest rate rise to their savers who provide them with much needed working capital.

doUGiE REid, address supplied.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom