Freescotland

Barry Hughes indicates that Brexit was a mistake and that it is considered so by the majority in the UK (Letters, 24 November). It damages the UK. He does not want an independence referendum or vote in Scotland, therefore. But while Brexit was a leap in the dark and was predicted as catastrophic, an independent Scotland would be moving into known territory. There are many successful small democratic states in or close to the EU. In addition there are very positive economic figures for resource-rich Scotland, stronger in renewable energy potential, compared with most European states.

In fact independence is now an imperative for Scotland as the pound falls and the incompetence and venality of the Westminster is now displayed openly by politicians who remain committed to the same politics, including austerity and squeezing public services as much as possible, until they drop. The Conservative party celebrate Brexit and say and do little about the decline of the British economy, including its exports, as a result of it. Nor do they express concern for all the suffering caused to the majority. Likewise the Labour Party.

Then there is the democratic deficit. Neither Scotland nor Northern Ireland voted for Brexit. It was foisted on them. Scotland cannot be expected to suck up year-on-year damage from Brexit. It also didn’t vote for Westminster’s resulting policies and rogue governance. We see Westminster riding over the devolution settlement and other laws and attacking our rights. Keir Starmer says people here have the right to decide whether to leave the Union. We do. The 1689 Claim of Right, to which King Charles III swore allegiance, was acknowledged by the Westminster parliament in 1989, 2012 and 2018. The Scottish people can get rid of a government that fails to uphold their rights and interests, such as the Westminster government, which currently treats Scotland like a colony. POL YATES

Edinburgh by a foreign power, or not having enough power to pursue its economic, cultural or social development. These opinions are based on the Quebec and Kosovo independence cases and judgments. Kosovo met all three conditions, having been through hell within Serbia, but to this day it is recognised as a sovereign state by just 101 out of 193 UN countries. To equate Kosovo with Scotland in this way is an insult to me and millions of British people,

These situations absolutely don't exist in Scotland, In fact we haven't been occupied or oppressed since 1745 and the SNP don't fully or properly use the devolved powers they have. Looking around the world in these past 277 years, especially today, Mr Hinnrichs should be relieved and proud to be living in and part of such a great, safe country as the UK.

To paraphrase John Swinney,

the only “too wee, too poor and too stupid” areas in Scotland are in the brains of the civil servants and politicians that thought up this costly, diverting wheeze. And the people who gorge down the bait.

ALLAN SUTHERLAND Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire