S np’ slack of talent
It was nice of Jeremy Corbyn to say “Scotland has the talent and ability to run its own affairs” (your report, Saturday), and while it is true in theory, the reality is that the majority of that talent and ability is not on the side of the separatists.
We can see that even now in the SNP Government. Derek Mackay is clearly not competent to deal with the financial affairs of a devolved administration, never mind that of an entire country. In any other government Humza Yousaf would have been removed from his transport role, but Nicola Sturgeon is so lacking in talent among her MSPS she is loth to move him.
One of the few people she has felt obliged to shuffle out of harm’s way, so bad was their performance, was Mike Russell.
It is surprising, then, that she has given him such a prominent role on Brexit. The most reasonable explanation for that is that the First Minister is not interested in getting the best deal for Scotland on leaving the EU but to put obstacles in the way of the process to maintain the grievance politics which is the basis of the SNP’S independence obsession. In that case incompetence is a useful quality to have.
It is also the case that those with most talent and ability do not support Brexit. The difference for the UK government is that they have a large pool to pluck people from, even reluc- tantly, to negotiate exit from the EU.
It is also the case that, stuck with dealing with something they do not want, pro-eu ministers and civil servants will go into negotiations more willing to be reasonable.
The same would not be true if there were ever independence negotiations for Scotland where the nationalists would be prone to airing grievances rather than finding compromise.
Ultimately, if Scotland is ever torn from the UK by a small majority much of the talent and ability will move elsewhere, many to England.
No doubt some people will leave the UK over Brexit, but as a portion of the available talent pool the impact would likely be minor on the UK but have dramatic effect in Scotland.
DR S J CLARK Easter Road, Edinburgh Whilst Scotrail boss Phil Verster has resigned over the consistent failure to perform for train passengers in Scotland, the SNP transport minister, Humza Yousaf, should also fall on his sword, as he has failed miserably with train, ferry and road services in Scotland.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon needs to urgently review her cabinet and pick out those who have failed to perform which should not be a difficult task. DENNIS FORBES GRATTAN Mugiemoss Road, Bucksburn