Dangerous game
The 12 new Scottish Conservative MPS were all elected on the basis that protecting the Union would be their first priority. But by supporting PM Theresa May’s proposals on the post Brexit border in Northern Ireland, they are unwittingly making it easier for Nicola Sturgeon to argue for an independent Scotland.
Last December there was an agreement with the EU that there would be no border between the Republic of Ireland, which will be remaining in the EU, and Northern Ireland, which will be outside, even though a majority of the population voted to stay in. There is talk of a technological solution, one that has not yet been invented. This technological solution is needed because May does not want to be in the customs union. And because the DUP, who are propping up the Tories, do not want a border either.
Unfortunately, however, the Tory insistence on no border is just what Nicola Sturgeon wants to hear. If there is no border on the island of Ireland between an EU and a non-eu country, then why, she can reasonably argue, does there need to be a border between England and an independent Scotland. The Tories are playing a dangerous game, instead of protecting the Union, they seem to be making the SNP’S independence case for them.
PHIL TATE
Craiglockhart Road, Edinburgh
I realised we were in serious trouble when Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, claimed Brexit trade deals would be “the easiest in human history”. As someone who has actually worked in international trade with a pharmaceutical giant, I knew that was disingenuous baloney. I fear our farmers are about to find just how difficult it is to negotiate a trading framework. While we will follow EU rules during the transition period, we won’t be an EU state and other countries are not bound to recognise us as such for the purposes of existing EU trade deals giving our farmers access to their markets.
But the real problems will begin when we are cut loose to face the competition of low-cost agricultural nations. Also, trade agreements with advanced nations will see taxes on UK farm exports. The fact is, without the Common Agricultural Policy many of our farms are simply unviable.
(REV) DR JOHN CAMERON
Howard Place, St Andrews