Yellowhammer’s warnings on a hard Brexit

Sir, – Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s alleged decision to unilaterally vacate the Brexit withdrawal treaty shows just how desperate, untrustworthy and irresponsible the Tories are.

Their Brexit negotiating hand was always weak, based upon an Imperial fantasy, a return to the days of Empire.

While singing Rule Britainnia at the Proms and whipping up hatred against refugees may play well with the Tories’ English nationalist base, it does nothing to settle post-Brexit trade arrangements.

In potentially putting up a hard border in Ireland, Boris Johnson is playing with fire. He risks restarting the conflict, all for partisan gain.

Boris Johnson always intended for there to be a hard Brexit. He has, however, consistently lied on the issue, proclaiming that an “oven-ready Brexit” was near completion.

The consequences of No-Deal will be savage austerity and state repression.

This is not hyperbole or propaganda. These scenarios were set out in the Operation Yellowhammer papers Johnson was forced to release last year.

These were stark; they warned of a 40-60 percent drop in freight coming in. This would disrupt the supply of life-saving medicines, food supplies would be adversely impacted. Warnings are given about the fuel supply. The document warns that those on the lowest incomes would be hardest hit.

Yellowhammer papers also warn of civil unrest due to the Tories’ selfinflicted ideological chaos. They state that a minimum of 3,500 troops will be on stand-by for riot control.

The Tories’ latest action should show Nicola Sturgeon there is no trustworthy negotiating partner at Westminster.

Many of us have been saying this for years.

The first minister needs a fresh approach.

Either she can make the next Holyrood election a de-facto independence referendum, or she should state she will hold an advisory referendum and then declare independence on a ‘yes’ result.

This would mean the Tories would have to act. Under Sturgeon’s current strategy they can simply say no to a referendum.

Alan Hinnrichs. 2 Gillespie Terrace, Dundee.