Scotland is ruled by diktat

Sir, – Your correspondent, Derek Farmer, claimed in a letter to this paper, (“Hypocrisy at fishing deal”, March 21) that the SNP support the Common Fisheries Policy. When corrected, his response to me (“Aspiration vs reality”, April 2) was to move the goal posts and criticise the SNP for a lack of success in their ongoing opposition to this policy.

The gentleman then has the temerity of accusing others of, “obfuscation”.

It should be obvious to Mr Farmer that any so-called lack of success on the part of the SNP is the result of being constantly denied influence in this matter by a Westminster establishment he wholeheartedly supports.

His claim Brussels is imposing the CFP on Scottish fisherman conveniently overlooks the fact that the current policy was negotiated by Westminster, following an agenda suiting their needs, not ours.

An agenda the intended power grab seeks to reinforce, not only in regards to our fisheries but across Scotland as a whole, thereby threatening our well-earned reputation for quality produce.

For our part, we are asked to place our trust in an establishment which views our own government, as confirmed by Immigration Minister, Caroline Nokes, as deserving no more consideration than Lincolnshire county

council. Our current dilemma is not of the SNP’S or the Scottish electorate’s making.

Once again, we are suffering the consequences of the chronically poor Westminster Government.

Mr Farmer claims I “do not understand... matters where aspiration conflicts with reality”.

My understanding is that SNP policy is for us to be an independent country in the EU, with direct representation and the influence this bestows, aspiring to the quality of life enjoyed by the Scotland-sized countries neighbouring us.

Any future relationship with the EU will be ours and ours alone to decide. Certainly not the result of a whim on behalf of the increasingly xenophobic, jingoistic establishment ruling Scotland by diktat, which is our present conflicted reality. Ken Clark. 15 Thorter Way, Dundee.