Brexit baffler

Andrew H N Gray is perplexed by the Scottish Government’s threat not to pass the Repeal Bill. He can’t see the obvious fact that Theresa May’s government’s promises are now seen as trash currency.

Her government promised that powers from Europe would be devolved. That is not now happening. HM Government said it would meet with devolved administrations regularly and consider position papers. Lip service has been paid to that.

Perhaps Mr Gray should study David Chapman’s frank views on our main Westminster parties. (He was after all an ex-david Davies aide). He describes both parties as extremists. Whether it’s promises on environment, money for NHS, or workers’ rights, government promises look flaky – particularly as the Repeal Bill will water down rights to sue government for breach of commitments.

Time we learned to take extremists with a pinch of salt before they cause further polarisation in society.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh It is no surprise the latest talks between UK and Scottish ministers on Brexit seem to be getting nowhere.

John Swinney and Mike Russell simply seek to undermine any chance of progress as they pursue imagined and exaggerated grounds of grievance, whether on powers repatriated from the EU, or over retaining single market membership.

What is sensible or credible is of little consequence to them. The now tired “independence at any cost” rhetoric is replaced with a new “EU at any cost” approach, as if the people of Scotland will not realise they intend the same end result.

KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire