Missing a chance

The House of Lords EU committee is right to stress the importance of the devolved powers playing a proper part in the Brexit negotiations (“Brexit threat to economic glue bonding UK”, 19 July), but the tactics of the SNP government make this particularly difficult in regards to Scotland. The contributions to date from the First Minister and her Brexit minister suggest that any meeting on the subject of Brexit will be viewed as an ideal opportunity to play to the gallery of the SNP’S core support, whipping up yet more of a sense of grievance in regards to their unrealistic demands not being met.

If the SNP leadership showed any genuine desire to do what is best for every part of the UK and to not constantly place their party’s ambitions ahead of Scotland’s best interests, they might have a better chance of being whole heartedly involved in putting the UK’S case to the EU. Instead, Scotland’s many genuine specific issues and concerns in relation to Brexit are in danger of not being given the fair hearing they deserve, simply because the SNP cannot stop trying to score political points.

KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire The adverse publicity in recent days regarding Brexit, the Scottish economy and the housing market has missed the real culprit.

The Scottish National Party is to blame. Their incessant desire for independence is a far greater risk to Scotland’s future than Brexit. This damage has been added to by the SNP’S totally biased Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), which has ruined the Scottish housing market.

Brexit is not without future risks but the SNP seem oblivious of the current damage they are doing. It is high time the SNP brought some stability to the Scottish economy, not the opposite. They need to take independence off the table and reset LBTT to UK rates. This requires brave action on the part of the SNP and “brave” is a word politicians do not like to contemplate. (DR) GERALD EDWARDS

Broom Road, Glasgow.