Setting out Scotland’s stall

Sir, – I had a very pleasurable visit to the community market in Blairgowrie on Saturday.

I spoke with a couple from the Netherlands, overheard a French family discussing the local produce and gave directions to a German biker. I don’t think I’ve felt so European for quite some time.

But then reality hit hard. We are soon to be dragged out of the EU by a set of incompetent and out of their depth Westminster politicians.

As every day passes it becomes ever more apparent that Brexit will be a financial, social and cultural disaster.

If only there was an option for Scotland.

Oh wait, there is. Friday saw the publication of the Growth Commission report.

The findings are remarkable and it is a clear blueprint for a viable, visionary, optimistic and ambitious Scotland.

Listen to the nonsensical arguments for Brexit, think what it will mean for thousands of businesses and our standard of living.

At the next independence referendum there will be no status quo and the arguments used by the UK Government last time will be redundant.

The Growth Commission looked at 12 small independent countries who, with no more resources than Scotland, are providing better for their people offering better pensions and better wage levels. Is there anything stopping us from doing the same? Yes, unlike them, we don’t have full control of our economy.

Surely it is time to ask not if Scotland should be an independent country but rather why it is not. Graeme Finnie. Albert Street, Blairgowrie.