The electoral maths supports the idea of an alliance between Labour and the Lib Dems, writes Martyn Mclauglin

A review of the rules to allow the cultural sector to reopen safely would be good news for all

In announcing a delay to restriction easing yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did reveal a chink of light for one hard-pressed sector.

The First Minister pledged to look at tackling “perceived anomalies” over the current restrictions, which are much tighter for live events than they are for the operators of bars and restaurants. Many in the culture sector will tell you these are not just perceived of course, but very real threat to their survival.

The biggest gripe is the requirement for two metre social distancing, thus reducing the potential audience size, revenue, and ability to open. The argument is pubs and restaurants only have to maintain one metre social distancing so why should live events be treated any differently?

A relaxation of the current restrictions is seen as crucial to ensure the return of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in meaningful form in August. And so all eyes will be on the long-awaited review of physical distancing rules which is due to be published within days.

On the face of it, there seems little reason why the rules cannot be brought into line with hospitality provided all the usual Covid safeguards are in place.

If this means venues can reopen, it is not only good news for them and the tourism sector but for the health of the nation in general which has been starved of a cultural offering for so long.

The demand is there. In just days, the Edinburgh International Festival sold more than half the available tickets for 90 productions after deciding to stage shows outdoors. Not all events and operators have that option.

Delaying the wider move to Level 0 is understandable, and we are sure is based on the best scientific advice around the threat from the Delta variant.

Harder to stomach, however, would be an unfair requirement, perceived or otherwise, for some venues to operate stricter policies than others.

Moving too quickly now and risking a return to a full lockdown would be unthinkable.

But if one metre is the difference between survival and extinction – and if it can be shown that venues can open safely under such rules – then the show must be allowed to go on.

Common sense should tell Robert Scott (Letters, 15 June) that a self-governing Scotland has a better chance of emulating our Scandinavian neighbours’ standard of living than one remaining subjected to the decisions of Westminster governments that prioritise economic growth in London and the South east of England.

As Andrew Wilson pointed out on BBC Debate Night, Scotland would be the richest newly independent country in history if it voted Yes and Scotland’s taxation, that it raises itself, is enough to pay for all of the Scottish government’s policy responsibilities, plus all of social security and all of pensions in a normal year.

Scotland’s views were ignored on Brexit, and Westminster is now taking powers and monies from Holyrood, while our government and agricultural sector were not consulted over the disastrous Uk/australian trade deal.

With the borrowing powers and border controls of a normal country, there is every chance Scotland would have dealt with the Covid pandemic much better than Boris Johnson, who ignored scientific advice, failed to close borders and impose lockdown last March, thus allowing the virus to escalate and devastate the economy.

He didn’t learn any lessons and was three weeks late in stopping flights from India which threatens a third major disruption to the economy and jobs

With all our vast natural resources, and one of the most highly educated populations in Europe, there is no logical reason why Scotland can’t do much better than remaining within little Britain’s myopic straitjacket.

MARY THOMAS

Edinburgh

The UK Government was accused of cutting out Scotland’s farming industry after striking a new trade deal with Australia. Boris Johnson said it shows “global Britain at its best”.

It’s worth 0.02% of GDP or put another way, 000.5% of the estimated cost of Brexit. Britain is irrelevant.

JB Scotland A trade deal with a country we had a trade deal with already!

Craig Hollywood That'll be like his 'oven ready' Brexit deal then!

John Swaney We can kiss goodbye to the Scottish farming industry. The Tories have just shoved a large chunk of their support under the bus and they don't care about how much damage it will do in the short to medium term. If there are no tariffs the British farmers will not be able to compete, many will go bust and soon the only folk eating quality British produce will be the very wealthy. The rest of us will have cheap, substandard crap from all over the world forced on us.

Garaidh Mclausch

I’m more worried about the free movement or under30s and possible loss of skills from the UK to Oz.

Dianne Davidsoon

Cant see how this is very economic, the costs of getting goods from the opposite side of the world would be enormous compared to across the Channel . The rest of the world must be rubbing their hands [at] how de sperate he is. Thought they wanted to get our economy going, we have farms here for l amb and we also do wine. We did make cars here till they got the factories shut

May Logan

Aye, he's obviously never heard of food miles.

Brian Johnson

We have a deal with the EU.

Haven’t you seen Australian wine in shops? Or New Zealand lamb? Japanese cars? Items “made in China”?

Joe MCD

Works well with China, look at the amount of stuff we import from there.

Christine Heeps

Disastrous for our farmers and especially the meat farmers this will not be of any tangible benefit to the country also the standard of the Australian produce is far far lower than ours.

Dave Joyce

Why do you think Scottish or UK farmers won’t be able to trade with (Eg) Australia. My Australian friends will love the free-range

Shetland lamb.

Alma Adams

It seems most of the people in this thread have no idea about trade deals and in particular, this one.

Alison Braine

So, we can look forward to a diet of kangaroo meat instead of Welsh beef and lamb!

Brian Pugh

Interesting that all the Brexit/ Boris haters have failed to mention the removal of the tariffs on Scotch Whisky – one of our main exports.

Charlie Duncan

We detest Brexit in Scotland! As we do Boris and cronies!

John Roberton

There were almost 800’000 Conservative voters in

Scotland, the last time I looked. So a bit of an exaggeration.

Fiona Ogilvie Taylor