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Scotland EU return
AN independent Scotland would be back in the European Union in around four to five years, a new report has suggested. The 125-page paper by Anthony Salamone, managing director of the Scottish political analysis firm European Merchants, argues the Scottish Government should adopt a target of four years to re-join the bloc. However, it said Scotland would have to ditch the pound, pledge to adopt the euro and sign up to the controversial Common Fisheries Policy.
“We won’t even apply until we have independence and we won’t ever have independence unless and until a credible case is made for it.” Andrew Macauley, heraldscotland.com
“In today’s EU, expansion is not the watchword but integration and after the fiscal disasters that are Greece and to a lesser extent Italy the EU appears to be taking a more cautious line to new members. Look at Iceland and Albania which both applied in 2009, 10 years and waiting, or Croatia, 16 years and waiting.
“There is no evidence to suggest an independent Scotland would be given any accelerated ascension to the EU.”
Charles Dickens, heraldscotland.com
“I would like to see this formally agreed by the European Union. If no such document exists, this is just pure conjecture.”
Iain Stewart, heraldscotland.com
Boris no-show
THE Prime Minister is facing growing criticism for failing to visit parts of the country devastated by flooding, despite doing so before the General Election. Boris Johnson is also under fire for not convening a Cobra emergency meeting over the latest chaos caused by Storm Dennis, with thousands of homes damaged and property destroyed.
“This probably just demonstrates that this Prime Minister does not really want to be a PM. He does not want to involve himself in mundane issues such as floods, climate change and disasters. He just wants to get his Brexit done – he owns it, it’s what got him elected that’s all he cares about. He’s the Brexit man.”
Jo Macdiarmid, heraldscotland.com
“Last week, a bridge was closed for 24 hours as a result of freak weather – nobody died although people had problems getting to work for 2 days. People wanted heads to roll and politicians to be held accountable.
“Now, people have been flooded out of their homes, in some cases for the second or third time, and people have died. Flood defences are woefully inadequate and the cost will be many millions – where’s the outrage and demand for Johnson to take responsibility and/or resign...”
Graham Smith, heraldscotland.com
“Do we expect him to turn up with wellies and a bucket? There are established agencies and procedures in place that are trying to deal with a difficult situation.
I’m sure all the relevant information will be referred back to the government. Johnson (or any other politician) turning up is meaningless.”
Rob Kane, heraldscotland.com
Council cuts
Efforts to tackle Scotland’s rising number of drug deaths and deal with the ongoing climate emergency will be compromised by a £212 million shortfall in local government funding, council bosses have said. They warned hundreds of jobs risk being lost at individual councils, with many authorities facing “tough decisions” over cuts, closures and reduced services.
“I thought the role of councils was to empty the bins, make sure the schools educate children properly, keep local roads in good repair etc – all the boring things that impinge on ordinary people. Why on earth are they involved in this so-called climate emergency?”
Mary Wilson, heraldscotland.com
“I doubt if any council in Scotland has much to contribute to global warming.”
Peter Dale Smith, heraldscotland.com