BOGOF EU vote

How many of us have vainly hoped against hope that we could find a way to reverse those bad or hasty decisions in life that we come to regret?

In this respect it remains something of a mystery why the Government steadfastly refuses to contemplate another referendum on whether or not the case has been made for Brexit.

Theresa May seems to think it would amount to a ‘betrayal of the people’ whereas most sensible voters would regard it as the mark of a responsible leader to seek the updated opinion of an electorate that is now far better informed than it was in June 2016, before leading us with our hands tied behind our backs into such a momentous course of action.

There is one simple but effective way out of this impasse – call a snap referendum on whether to call another referendum on Brexit.

If the answer is ‘yes’, the Government can proceed with seeking a second plebiscite with honour, as it will be responding to the will of the people.

In fact, why not promote a festive BOGOF offer and throw in a referendum on having another referendum on Scottish independence at the same time.

ANDY DAVEY St Andrews Road, Peebles

Brian Monteith shoots himself in the foot twice in his week-

ly anti-eu rant (‘Voting down May’s deal is about more than stopping the backstop’, Scotsman, December 10).

First, he complains that his steel manufacturing friend in Dorset could not do a job in France because only French companies can buy insurances to undertake certain work there. But that rule is consistent with being a member of the EU and the UK could have an identical regulation for work here so that UK companies might have an advantage in tendering for contracts.

Mr Monteith’s second complaint is that some regulations are – shock, horror and disgrace - in ‘native languages’! My goodness, why don’t those foreigners just use English all the time?

Or maybe if there were less arrogant stupidity among those of Mr Monteith’s persuasion, UK businesses would learn to communicate in whatever language is necessary to get the work.

BILL COOPER Highfield Circle, Kinross

Regarding Theresa May’s Brexit vote strategy, perhaps the idea is eventually to lose decisively so she can go to Brussels and say: “Look what happened, I tried my hardest, we had a week of debate, but Parliament is against me.”

Confronting the EU with the ’will of Parliament’ is her final card. If she succeeds she will be a hero and get Parliament’s support and if she fails she can say to British people she has tried her hardest, put her job, government and UK democracy on the line but the evidence is clear, only the diehards want ‘no deal’, so the choice is accept the May deal or stay in the EU.

Then a referendum could be held on the basis that without a doubt people – me included – know much more about the issues than we did in 2016.

Who even dreamed of an Irish ‘backstop’ or a £39bn

divorce settlement back then? And they can also, if they care to find out, understand the May deal and compare that with forgetting the whole thing and voting to remain. ALLAN SUTHERLAND Willow Row, Stonehaven

Brian Wilson’s approval of Theresa May’s deal (Scotsman, December 8) is surprising for at least two reasons.

First, her woeful and chauvinistic handling of Brexit (and indeed every other policy in her remit) does not deserve

open endorsement by such a usually persuasive voice.

Second, because her deal accepts a UK future as a rule taker and not a rule shaper.

One further point – the legal opinion advising that Brexit is reversible came from the European Court in Luxembourg. Swiss Geneva is not in the EU.

TONY O’DONNELL Dean Park Crescent , Edinburgh

The ECJ has judged that the UK can unilaterally revoke Article 50. What a bombshell! It is interesting to read the UK press grudgingly report that the impetus came from Scottish politicians.

But at this juncture in the Westminster self-imposed crisis it will cause a tsunami across Westminster party lines. the labour-tory-duopoly at Westminster will atomise even further now that down south there is an apparent majority for remain.

The SNP and allies have moved well on this issue. How will the remainer Unionist parties at Holyrood react now? The ba’ is indeed amang the slates noo!

JOHN EDGAR Langmuir Quadrant , Kilmaurs ton, John Maclean and RB Cunninghame Graham (Labour member who went on to lead the new SNP) who all believed in Scottish home rule and I know exactly where they would be today.

After the festive season perhaps we should set up search parties to see if we can actually find the Labour Party in Scotland and get them on to the right track.

DAVID MCEWAN HILL

Sandbank, Argyll