Why create trade barriers?

Madam, – While I agree with Les Mackay that Brexit has turned into a fiasco, I am not too sure about his other assumptions (A new solution to Brexit bamboozlement, Courier, January 2).

I voted for the UK to stay in the EU on balance with the UK’s Schengen opt out and being able to avoid the euro I felt that was the right thing for Scotland.

Your correspondent Mr Mackay incorrectly makes the assumption that I and others like

me would automatically vote for an independent Scotland to stay in the EU.

That would be an entirely different question altogether.

It is all very well for those who see the world through Saltire-tinted specs to say that Scotland would not have to accept the Euro.

However, as the UK is currently finding out, the junior partner in the negotiations gets told what is happening.

The UK has about 12% of the European Union population, Scotland about 1%.

If you think Mr Barnier and his pals are not

treating the UK fairly wait till you see the reaction when Scotland starts negotiating the terms of entry.

Mr Mackay then goes on to say “Scots would be willing to accept a hard border with England if that is what it takes to stay in the EU”.

Well maybe he would but why would you want to create trade barriers with by far your biggest trading partner – 60% and rising – to keep free trade with a far less significant trading partner of 20% and reducing?

Steven Lyall.

17 Rossie Avenue, Broughty Ferry.