Say Yes, say No

Now that more Scots are less frightened of the economic consequences of independence, we should indeed consider how the SNP plan would work.

Nicola Sturgeon wants to take us back into the EU after independence. A few economists, though, have taken the view that the EU had been, and is, an unworkable straitjacket.

Arguably, the EU simply has to show that bullies will not be tolerated, and irresponsible countries not bailed out. That is what it seems to be doing. That is why a no deal Brexit is a bigger possibility than many economists think. By standing up to the Brexit bullies the EU will “encourage les autres” and the hotheads all over Europe will quieten down.

Meanwhile, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that Brexiteers tell us is the solution we need if we want a fair trading system (with minimal infringement of our sovereignty) is becoming a basket case. Donald Trump thinks it has been unfair to the USA (so

is it really protective of countries’ sovereignty?). The US is weakening the WTO’S appeals system by vetoing the appointment of new judges and withdrawing its financial support. A toothless WTO will lead to a previously organised trading system becoming a dog-eatdog one.

Neoliberals confuse order and carefully managed economic systems with the dreaded enemy, collectivism. Collectivism eventually (apparently) always fails its people. So they will tell you to “Say no to Project Fear” and “no to Remain-supporting experts ”. So their view is that we will have cake and eat it if we just have a clean Brexit.

By contrast, they insist that an independent Scotland will have huge debts and be diminished by the EU straitjacket. We in Scotland must learn to say “Yes to Project Fear”. Yet Eire manages huge debt and thrives within Europe. Let’s keep an eye on her progress through Brexit.

To have a grown-up discussion on independence in the next few years we need to “say no to Project Fear and all pies in the sky” and we need to “say no to Neoliberals”.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh