Single issue

Much to my surprise I find myself agreeing with Jeremy Corbyn when he says that leaving the European Union means leaving the single market.

An integral condition of being a member of the EU is membership of the single market; if a country is no longer a member of the EU, it follows, therefore, it is not in the single market.

Understanding this simple fact is essential if people are to understand the consequences of leaving the EU; you cannot have one without the other.

Also, by definition, membership of the single market has rules, one of which relates to free movement of people; one of the main reasons the UK voted to leave the EU was because of immigration.

For Nicola Sturgeon to say that Jeremy Corbyn is misleading the British people is simply wrong; it is she who is misleading people when she argues that there is an opportunity to force the British Government into staying in the single market.

She should know that this position is impossible; if she does not, then this is a worry.

The issue for the country as we leave the EU is whether we can gain access to the European Single Market which is a different proposition entirely. This will mean the development of new arrangements which is the subject of current negotiations and will, doubtless, involve some form of customs union between the UK and Europe.

Whether there will be a price to be paid, by either side, is also subject of negotiation. Let us not forget that European companies also want access to our lucrative markets.

We really would benefit from some optimism coming from politicians. Yes there are challenges as we leave the EU but there are also benefits to be had. We all want the best deal for Scotland and the UK; this is not the preserve of Nicola Sturgeon, her approach and that of prominent remain supporting politicians is damaging the chances of a successful outcome to these difficult negotiations.

LESLIE TURNBULL Edderston Road, Peebles The Scottish Government has published its analysis of the effects that the various options could have on Scotland.

The paper estimates that a hard Brexit could cost the Scottish economy £12.7billion per annum and about £6billion if we agree one of the other options.

The paper of course only gives us the usual political negatives which support the Scottish Government’s stance on either remaining in the EU, or having access to the single market.

It takes no account of the UK government’s efforts to get a bespoke deal for the UK after we leave the European Union.

It also ignores the successes that we could have post Brexit, and it totally ignores the economic problems that we have had for many years.

We have particular problems with low productivity, poor education and work place skills together with the inefficiencies in the public sector which successive governments have failed to address.

One other problem is that the Scottish Government is obsessed with independence and Brexit, when it should be focusing on health , education and employment.

They should also remember that the electorate voted to remain in the UK and leave the European Union.

Why do we continue to question the voters’ integrity and choices? JAMES MACINTYRE Clarendon Road

Linlithgow