Readers' Letters: My declaration of independence

N’erday is my UDI. By personal resolution I am leaving the British State, which has deprived me of my European citizenship and treats me as a subject.

As part of the United Kingdom, Scotland is leaving the EU

I cannot any longer be part of Little England. I cannot be compliant with the jingoism of England’s governing class, who want everyone else to be poorer so that they can be sovereign. I dissent from their undemocratic and unaccountable governance, their serial incompetence, corruption, and nauseating presumption. I am determined to live by principles of equity, justice, dignity, respect and compassion.

I also renounce the House of Windsor, and all the detritus of monarchy. Whatever the merits of Queen Elizabeth, "royal prerogative” has become a cover for arbitrary rule. “God Save the Queen”, no more, even out of politeness.

I also renounce the British State’s obscene and soon-to-be-illegal possession of nuclear weaponry. I protest the stockpiling of warheads and decaying radioactive submarines near the homes of 2.5 million Scots on the Clyde.

I call out Britain’s media establishment, including the BBC, which insistently demands to know why Scotland should be independent, without ever considering “why not?”. I challenge the subservience of many in Scottish society, who cling to status quo privilege.

I resist Britain’s sell-out of public services for private profit, and its determination to undermine the United Kingdom’s parliaments. I support every possible collective and individual action to sustain Planet Earth as a home for humankind, and the source of diverse life.

I regret the present assault on Scotland’s democracy. Yet I am relieved that pretence is over; that open resistance has arrived. For me, independence is beginning, and I can go forward in the good company of people who delight in freedom and humanity.

Donald Smith, Kirkhill Road, Edinburgh

Time to explore

Pity all the Brexit survivalists, whose cupboards are bursting with essentials, as they await a fateful UK sliding over the “catastrophic cliff edge”.

How long do they have before their tins turn rusty and all those medicines expire? When these frightened rabbits finally poke out their necks again, they’ll find a UK managing just fine outside the European Union.

Tragically, the Scottish devolved government has dug the deepest burrow and will be last out to face reality. By the time it emerges, the smarter and faster-moving regions in England will lay claim to any Brexit upside. No Central Belt Freeports for Scots. No eastern Ferry connection direct to the Continent, either. Transatlantic trade will depart from Liverpool, not Glasgow. A new container transshipment terminal for Orkney will be just be a distant memory.

Instead of preparing Scotland to face any eventually, the Scottish Government has wasted time simply willing Brexit to fail. Despite the positive deal announced, the SNP Westminster leader reacted with all the optimism of Private Frazer from Dad’s Army. We’re doomed, doomed proclaimed Ian Blackford; foretelling a £9 billion economic hit to the Scottish economy. His figures are recycled junk, plucked from a dodgy spreadsheet before the deal was even published.

Instead of signalling our desperation, Scotland needs to get trading our products and services worldwide as new markets open up. This is the time to hire, invest, experiment and explore. Scottish businesses will never see this golden Yukon of free trade open up again. For the good of the nation, we must charge past our fainthearted politicians and grasp the Brexit opportunities.

Calum Miller, Director/Owner Millersoft Ltd, Polwarth Terrace, Prestonpans, East Lothian

Gone to seed

The SNP have been courting the EU for several years. This one-sided courtship intensified during this last year of exit negotiations. Perhaps they should ask themselves why seed potatoes, a product mainly exported from Scotland, was singled out by the EU, for such harsh treatment.

Elizabeth Hands. Etna Court, Armadale

It’s curtains

The extended run of the Brexit pantomime is drawing to a close. Amid choruses of "Behind you!" and booing, the final act unfolds.

Will Prince Boris find Cinderella von der Leyen and exchange vows for a marriage of convenience? Will anyone pay any attention to the rants of the chips on shoulder ugly sisters, Ian Blackwood and Mike Russell? Will the fantasist fairy godmother Sturgeon turn Prince Boris into a pumpkin and lure Cinderella with promises of higher fish quotas for her subjects, equivalent to the status quo? Will the coachmen mice be allowed to take their coaches across the Channel? Will anyone notice Buttons Starmer?

Raise the curtain and let the pantomime conclude.

Fraser MacGregor, Liberton Drive, Edinburgh

Melbourne again

I’m originally from Scotland and have lived in Australia for the last 21 years and the last 14 years I’ve been in Melbourne.

We got hit with a Covid second wave earlier this year and the premier, the equivalent of Nicola Sturgeon, put us into a hard lockdown for 112 days and it was hard.

You could only leave the house for an hour a day, had to work from home if you could, had to wear a mask outside, only essential services were open, you couldn’t have visitors in your home, all pubs and restaurants were closed and there was a curfew for much of that time. It was brutal and the economy took a massive hit. But we’re all back to normal.

Globally, Melbourne has shown that we can beat this virus and we’re now back to close to normal. Sitting here 17,000km away, I’m stunned that the governments in the UK don’t do the same thing. Short term sacrifice for long term gain.

Sure, it might come back but we’ve gone 58 days with no local transmission.

Surely that is worth aspiring to.

PS Hi Dad if you’re reading this!

Ali McLeod, Dover Street, Cremorne, Victoria

A good sign

I note Scottish National Party MPs intend to vote against the Brexit Bill after the debate tomorrow.This can only mean the deal is excellent news for the United Kingdom.

Richard Marsh, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire

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