SNP candidate Emma Harper's view of a new Scotland-England border as a job creation scheme got me thinking – Brian Wilson

I had not previously encountered the thoughts of Emma Harper but now salute her for introducing borders into the Holyrood election debate.

In a memorable interview, Ms Harper revealed it had been “brought to my attention that jobs can be created if a border is created”. This is undoubtedly true. Smuggling is a particularly lucrative form of employment wherever borders are created and there should be no delay in organising training courses.

Around the internal Irish border, nobody could fail to be impressed by the number of Dallas-style mansions which adorn the countryside. Economic development officials from Ms Harper’s patch should be dispatched without delay to learn the tricks of various trades.

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Then there are bureaux de change though, without knowing what currency will be in use, construction may be delayed until after Independence Day. As Brexit taught us, borders cause hold-ups so the construction industry should do well for a while out of mega lorry-parks north of Berwick.

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Scotland-England border could create jobs, SNP candidate suggests

Since we will be in the EU (will we not?), this will mean an extremely hard border to thwart misguided souls who actually want to go to London but will see Scotland as a better option than paddling across the Channel in a dinghy. So lots of opportunities for border guards and immigration officials.

Just two sobering thoughts to counter the euphoria. First, in the real world, Scotland does more trade with Yorkshire than with China. Second, Ms Harper is a star in the SNP firmament, placed top of their regional list and a racing cert to return to Holyrood. Ye gods.

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SNP candidate Emma Harper's thoughts on the effect of new borders on job creation did not impress Brian Wilson (Picture: Sandy Young/PA Wire)SNP candidate Emma Harper's thoughts on the effect of new borders on job creation did not impress Brian Wilson (Picture: Sandy Young/PA Wire)
SNP candidate Emma Harper's thoughts on the effect of new borders on job creation did not impress Brian Wilson (Picture: Sandy Young/PA Wire)

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