A special case …

As she judges that the point of maximum potential grievance has been reached on Brexit, all the signs are that Nicola Sturgeon will demand another independence referendum.

As this will be argued on the basis of Scotland joining the EU as an independent country, it could prove inconvenient for the First Minister that we are all now a little older and wiser regarding what scope there is for flexibility from the EU.

Reassurances from various leading figures in the independence movement that the EU will grant Scotland special dispensation from various EU policies that do not suit us sound rather like simple wishful thinking.

Perhaps Nicola Sturgeon could avoid unnecessary concerns by securing firm reassurances in advance from the EU that we will not be expected to face economic austerity to meet inconvenient EU joining criteria, and that we will also be allowed opt-outs from joining the euro and the Common Fisheries and Common Agricultural policies.

If the EU is so keen on us joining, surely this is the least it should do?

KEITH HOWELL West Linton, Peeblesshire It is horrifying to read of the treatment of passengers on Scotrail’s Border Railway (your report, 6 April). Apparently the First Minister has been inundated by ‘“scunnered’’ users, fed up with the “abysmal’’ service. This is exactly the kind of situation where most would expect the devolved Scottish administration to step in and take action. Isn’t this the perfect example of what devolved government is supposed to address? Instead, we have a First Minister more interested in the delusion of grandeur jaunts overseas or photo-ops posing outside Downing Street, trying desperately – and failing – to look Brexit-relevant.

Meanwhile, the services they were elected to administer fall deeper and deeper into the mire.

ALEXANDER MCKAY New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh