Brexit brickbats

How often have you felt sorry for the people of a country where the ruling party greet disasters with political rhetoric that pretends that all is well? This is usually accompanied by blame being attached to some external country or influence.

Sadly, I am not talking about Zimbabwe or Venezuela but this is the reality facing Scotland. Yesterday, Derek Mackay greeted the potential of recession with the usual canned SNP success stories and glib remarks while blaming Westminster (despite the rest of the country experiencing growth).

This is also how his party treats the state of our education, health, police and every other aspect of a Scotland that is failing in places.

Can’t they be honest enough with the people and admit to problems? Can they also stop talking about what they would do if we were independ- ent and perhaps give us a sign that they are even minimally capable?

I think there are worrying times ahead for us, and they are nothing to do with Brexit – that universal excuse.

KEN CURRIE Liberton Drive, Edinburgh

It’s hard to argue with the EU negotiator who claimed Brexit is “a Tory catfight that got out of hand” and that the next generation will want to return – in fact they voted to remain!

Some idea of the mess we are in can be ascertained from the overwhelming vote in the EU parliament in favour of the tough negotiating positions set out by Brussels.

The resolution insists that EU and UK citizens receive “reciprocal treatment,” there’s no compromise between trade and security, and that the UK pays the divorce costs.

Ominously for our vital services industry, it also demands that the European Banking Authority and european medicines Agency be moved from London to an EU city. REV DR JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews

It is incredibly arrogant of the SNP to try to blame Brexit for the poor performance of the Scottish economy compared with the rest of the UK (‘SNP told to drop indyref2 bid and focus on economy’, 6 April).

The true difference, apart from the weakness in the oil industry, is that our businesses are having to cope with the additional uncertainty created by SNP agitation for independence, which if it were to happen, could see Scotland left isolated out of both the UK and the EU for many years to come.

No wonder businesses and investors are holding off until the position becomes clearer.

The First Minister meanwhile simply leaves her threat of more troublemaking hanging in the air.

KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire

Kenny Macaskill (The Scotsman, 6 April) writes about comments from a few Brexiteers lately about the Falklands spirit, gibraltar, Armadas etc, pointing out how this is all nonsense – which is fair comment.

However, coming from a party that regularly commemorates Bannockburn (700 years ago), and other assorted shortbread tin tartanalia, this is a bit rich. WILLIAM BALLANTINE

Dean Road, Bo’ness