Contradictory party policies

SIR, – Theresa May, new prime minister of the duly elected government of the United Kingdom, is now on record stating “Brexit means exit from the European Union for the UK – there will be no second referendum”.

This decision surely must apply to all recent referendums, including the Scottish bid to exit the UK in 2014, i.e. there must be no second referendum for Scotland’s ill-conceived exit from the UK.

One marvels at the contradictory policies of the Scottish Nationalist Party – to leave the UK to recoup Scottish sovereignty but rejoin Europe to secede the newly-gained independence beggars belief. Where is the logic here?

The ambitions of misguided Scottish nationalists almost succeeded in leading Scotland down the rocky road to third world status.

With depleting oil reserves and a Scottish economy underpinned by largely foreign-owned distilleries and seasonal tourism, Scotland’s nationalists would be hardly in a position to negotiate beneficial terms with a tired, soon-to-implode EU.

As an expat Aberdonian watching events unfold in the UK and Europe from Canada, I wish Scotland well as it will surely find a new infusion of prosperity as a fully established partner in a sovereign UK.

Scots as part of the UK will ensure that the “Great” in Great Britain will endure. Richard A. Gibb, Placid Street, Ottawa, Ontario.

Why does he not mention that after six years of austerity, national debt has rocketed from £990billion to £1600billion?

Furthermore, before leaving office, Obsborne had given up any hope of seeing a surplus in government coffers.

This is total failure of economic policy, not to mention for those already on the margins of society like the elderly, disabled or those genuinely not able to find employment with decent wages.

While there has been improvements in some sections of the economy, this is akin to spending on a credit card with no care as to the consequences.

This is because the blame can be transferred to the next incumbent government when our debts catch up with us.

I am sure it will be the poorest that will be hit again.

For a country that has had oil for over 40 years, the UK should not be in this position and the fact that – despite austerity – we still ended up in more debt means Osborne and Cameron were a shambles for this country. Scott Secker, Croila View,

Kingussie.