The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Leave behind Westminster ‘omnishambles’
Sir, – As the full implications of Brexit unfold it is clear that only two national leaders apart from Boris Johnson actually welcome it.
Trump wants to see a weakened Europe and a weakened UK to strengthen the USA commercially.
He already has designs on the NHS and increased food exports to the UK.
He has intervened directly in another country’s election as a contributor to Farage’s LBC radio show, demanding the Tory and Brexit parties work in unison to deliver Brexit.
Farage has now agreed that his party will not stand in Tory held seats.
Putin also wants a weakened Europe as he resents former Warsaw Pact countries joining the EU.
A government inquiry into alleged Russian pro Brexit interference in UK elections is unlikely to be published before the election, sparking suspicions that there is something that Johnson is trying to hide.
The increasing likelihood of a No Deal Brexit means the UK will have to rely on the World Trade Organisation in order to set up trading agreements.
WTO director general Roberto Azevedo admits his organisation could see “serious harm” being made to the multilateral trading system.
Recently in the Commons then Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie challenged the International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss on the difficulties the WTO was facing and pointed out that the UK generates 3.4% of global trade, compared to 35% from the EU.
That means the UK’S influence within the WTO would be greatly diminished.
Truss claimed to be “developing” a Commonwealth caucus within the WTO, in other words nothing is happening yet and Trump’s neighbour Canada is unlikely to be keen.
Even if it did happen, it would generate only 12% of world GDP.
It is now very clear that if Brexit is allowed to go ahead the UK will be poorer, no matter what the next UK Government can cobble together.
The only way forward for Scotland is to quit the omnishambles that is Westminster and become an active member of the EU, with the same level of independence as the other 28 member states. Ken Guild.
76 Brown Street, Broughty Ferry.