Separation chaos

THE political turmoil isn’t limited to Westminster. In Scotland there are two issues to perplex politicians – Brexit and independence.

Of course, two issues produce three possible outcomes for politicians to get their heads around. This appears to be too much for the SNP to grasp, as two of the three possibilities remove Scotland from the EU.

If Scotland remains part of the UK and Brexit is enacted in compliance with the referendum result, Scotland will be out of the EU.

If the UK remains in the EU and Scotland gains independence, it will be out of the EU. The third option – with the UK remaining and no independence – is the only option to keep Scotland in the EU.

The SNP’s goal of independence would mean its worst nightmare becomes reality – Scotland would be out of the EU, which is the very thing the Nationalists are trying to stop.

Also, the SNP may be incapable of getting voter support to rejoin the EU, or of meeting the criteria.

Nicola Sturgeon enjoys criticising Westminster for the mess we find ourselves in but her party’s plans for Scotland, in or out of the EU, are just as shambolic, with a number of SNP grandees expressing their concerns.

‘Paradox’ has joined ‘democracy’ and ‘loyalty’ as concepts unworthy of the consideration of many MPs. Isn’t it time we saw the return of due diligence and probity to Parliament?

GRAHAM WYLLIE, Greengairs, Lanarkshire.