Laud immigrants

So now we know what Brexit means, no access to the single market, likely no member of a customs union, no coverage of European Court of Justice and soon no access to the European Court of Human Rights. Was all this mentioned during the referendum debate? No, quite the opposite, we were often told that we could retain the single market whilst leaving the EU.

The big prize, of course, for the Brexiteers is control of immigration yet the majority of immigrants to Britain come from outside the EU and are already under our control. Also, most of the young people who come from the EU are well educated and hard working, excellent contributors to the economy. Indeed economists argue that the recent economic growth in the UK is only there because of the contributions of migrant workers. So if we do keep them out or send them home the economy and society will suffer.

Finally the prospect facing the UK after leaving the EU is becoming clear – there will be significant job losses due to firms leaving Britain. The Tories are likely to strip away many of the employment protections of the EU.

For Scotland, Brexit means that we must press forward with a second independence referendum at the right time. The future is clear, do we want to be a low wage, low protection , insular island off the coast of Europe or do we want to take charge of our own affairs and continue to share our sovereignty with others in Europe? Faced with that choice I think the majority of Scots will choose independence.

HUGH KERR Wharton Square, Edinburgh