Referendum stance is really pretty rich

SO BORIS Johnson claims it would be irresponsible and reckless of a Scottish Government to bring about an independence referendum in the middle of a pandemic.

Pretty rich, coming from a man who forced through wholly inadequate arrangements for the UK’s departure from the EU in the middle of the same pandemic, despite it being evident the EU would look favourably on an extension.

Some among the Westminster Tories have pressed for Johnson to force an early ‘Indyref’ to deny the SNP and its allies time to prepare.

Would he risk his legacy being that of the PM who presided over the break-up of the UK, the gradual fragmentation of England itself, the loss of yet more public services and property to predatory overseas chums of the Tories, and a rapid diminution of any moral authority or influence for his version of “Great Britain”.

These things will happen anyway because that is the pattern in which all empires collapse, but does he really want history to point the finger of infamy (shades of Kenneth Williams!) at him?

A minor factor, but one which could prove as important, is that most officials working at polling stations and counts are ordinary local authority employees from a variety of other roles outside of election periods, and they are perfectly free to refuse to volunteer for the electoral duties.

Also most polling stations are owned or hired by the local authorities.

How would Johnson counter a refusal by councils and/or staff to participate in any charade orchestrated by Westminster – send in the army, gunboats in the Clyde and the Forth, border-raids by the Berwick-on-Tweed boy scouts? Perhaps Carrie has already decided!

D Thomas Brynmill, Abertawe