SNP should stick to its day job

Sir, – I refer to the letter from Les Mackay (“Let England go its own way”, January 31) in which he expresses support for a second Brexit referendum.

This would see Scotland and Northern Ireland remain in the EU, while England and Wales exited.

Mr Mackay seems to have a short memory.

When, in the run-up to the independence referendum in 2014, Alex Salmond and his ministers trundled around the principal capitals of EU member states to drum up support for fast-track Scotland membership when the SNP won the referendum, they were all politely shown the door.

The EU will not support the fragmentation of sovereign nations.

It is the UK that is negotiating a new relationship with the EU (and not before time) and the SNP should butt-out from its constant insistence that it somehow has superior negotiating rights. Instead it should concentrate on the challenges of its devolved government responsibilities. Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.

This is effectively a pledge for a “soft Brexit”, i.e. the UK leaving the single market and customs union, while securing a deal that gives unfettered access to European markets. Mrs May has essentially agreed that this means accepting EU trade rules, with all that this implies for other aspects of EU legislation