Turn Brexit hostility into positive energy

Sir, – After all their railing against a “cliff edge, no deal, Tory Brexit” it now appears the Separatist Negativity Party have adopted similar ideas in pursuit of another referendum.

By suggesting we could hold a referendum on separation without a pre-negotiated deal then sort it out later, they are advocating a leap in the dark.

Even fierce critics of Boris Johnson (at least those not blinkered by a single-issue obsession) will see the logic of avoiding the ridiculous complexity of simultaneously trying to negotiate a future relationship between the UK, the EU and a separated Scotland.

Rightly or wrongly, Brexit is happening.

The prime minister’s duty to the UK, including us in Scotland, is to concentrate on “Getting Brexit Right” while addressing the numerous pressing issues from climate change, the economy and transport through to health, education and housing.

This is what gives him the mandate to refuse another referendum.

For the SNP to unilaterally seek to impose more distraction and division on the rest of the UK for the foreseeable future is, to use their own terminology, “disrespecting” the interests of all the British people. They should be concentrating on those same pressing issues within their remit.

Every second Westminster, Holyrood and the associated civil services spend discussing Scexit, be it a deal or no deal scenario, is critical time wasted.

Holyrood should change all that negative energy into something positive and work with the UK Government to deal with our external and internal problems and ensure Scotland prospers in the UK.

The SNP don’t want success because it dilutes their case for separation, so they are unlikely to change.

The opposition parties need to make it clear what they would do differently, so we have a clear choice in the coming Holyrood election.

Mark Openshaw. 42 Earlswells Road, Cults.