Blatant attacks

I fail to see why Derek Laing is getting so exercised over the Tory election literature he has received (Letters, 24 May). As Brexit negotiations still lie in the future and given that by their nature neither side will have complete “control” over them, the Tories are surely correct not to overly speculate in advance how they might go. What is clearly a matter of record, though, is that neither Theresa May nor David Davis (from both sides of the referendum divide) are remotely “delusional” about how hard these negotiations will be. Trying to fashion a customised negotiating position for Scotland, Wales or other parts of the UK, as Mr Laing appears to crave, would only make them a lot harder.

The real purpose behind Mr Laing’s letter is, of course, not Brexit at all but the opportunity it affords to indulge in ad hominem Tory-bashing. He characterises Theresa May and Ruth Davidson as “terrible twins”. Others might find the willingness of two political colleagues from different ends of our great country to cooperate during an election campaign refreshing, in contrast to the SNP’S monomaniacal promotion of Ms Sturgeon. Somehow Mr Laing finds it unacceptable, too, for a political party to utilise the skills of past “failed” leaders or leadership contenders. Can we thus expect the imminent retirement of John Swinney and Alex Salmond?

With his tribal attitudes to political opponents Mr Laing is in danger himself of creating a reservation in North Britain – something unionists of all parties rightly fear.

JOHN WOOD The Croft, St Boswells