Time for truthbased poll on EU

THE time has surely come to stop saying “one respects the EU referendum result” before talking of a long transition period, remaining in the customs union or single market (Let’s debate a second EU referendum, Editorial, October 1). We in Scotland, with a “Remain” vote of 62 per cent (and recent reputable opinion polls at 65 per cent) can say we do not respect it. The referendum result, like a car’s MOT, told you the situation on one day only.

Parliament, the civil service and judiciary all know that Brexit is an unmitigated disaster. What’s changed is that the ordinary person in the street now realises too. Of course, the campaign was based on lies. Some believed the £350 million on the side of a bus. Some were spooked by the Ukip poster of refugees (on the Slovenian/Croatian border), and some, let’s be honest, were racist.

You are right in calling for a second referendum based on truth. People now know they get fewer euros on holiday. Their chocolate bar is smaller. Inflation is up, mortgage rate rises are imminent. Supermarkets can no longer hold down prices.

Our EU doctors, nurses and berry pickers are going home. We will no longer have access to the EU arrest warrant so will not be as safe. Brexit has endangered our financial services industry while three million British jobs depend on the EU. We were part of the world’s most successful trading bloc. Other trade deals cannot compare. Hundreds of millions of EU aid to Scottish farmers will cease. Workers’ rights, which we take for granted, are due to EU law. Our roads, railways, hospitals and universities will lose out on EU funding.

We need the SNP, LibDems and Greens to make it clear a referendum will be called once the Brexit terms are known. The Janus-faced Labour position on the EU betrays Scotland. John V Lloyd Inverkeithing