Nicola Sturgeon wasted huge opportunities when Boris Johnson came calling
I’d have been less embarrassed had Boris Johnston been corralled into Bute House by the reeking armpit of a drunken Scot whispering “ah luv you pal” in his ear; Nicola Sturgeon’s welcome for the UK prime minister lacked such class.
Boris arrived bearing gifts and talking up the need for infrastructure. The First Minister could have twisted his arm over a high-speed link to Scotland, full fibre broadband to every Scottish home and the establishment of freeports on both the Forth and Clyde. Instead of playing the Scottish card, she fed the tartan hyenas on the doorstep of the official residence a tired old bone: self-indulgence has replaced self-determination in the Capital and Scots will be the poorer for it.
CALUM MILLER Polwarth Terrace, Prestonpans
With ill-mannered protesters booing and jeering, and our First Minister standing with a scowling face on the steps of Bute House, Boris Johnson was given a typical Scottish nationalist welcome in Edinburgh (“Sturgeon challenges PM: Let’s debate independence”, 30 July).
Nicola Sturgeon went on to demonstrate in the subsequent meeting that for her and her government everything ultimately has to come back to their one overriding ambition, namely the breakup of the UK.
After complaining that not enough progress had been made in getting a deal for the UK’S departure from the EU, she went on to suggest that our new Prime Minister take time out to have a public debate with her about independence.
Scotland needs answers but the current Scottish government has only one answer.
KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire
Unlike when she met Theresa May at Bute House, Nicola Sturgeon at least had the good manners not to display two Saltires when Boris Johnson visited her on Monday.
It’s regrettable though that the Scottish Nationalist leader couldn’t bring herself to display her visitor’s flag, as she would for every other visiting dignitary.
MARTIN REDFERN Woodcroft Road, Edinburgh
Nicola Sturgeon says that leaving the European Union will be catastrophic and cost Scotland 100,000 jobs. Where that figure comes from, heaven knows.
Probably from the same source that said all Scottish families would be £5,000 a year better off if we voted for independence in 2014. Mhairi Black MP later said in a meeting in Peterhead that this figure had no substance. Nice to be able to believe in what our politicians tell us.
I think leaving the UK would be a bigger catastrophe and would, on a pro rata basis by the SNP Government calculations, result in a loss of 250,000 jobs. Not heard Nicola shouting to the rooftops about this one. I wonder why?
JACK WATT St Ola, Orkney