I BELIEVE that a wonderful opportunity has been missed by the UK Government and UK establishment following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

In these times when so many within the UK and across the world are struggling to meet basic needs and cope with an ultra-severe climate change which threatens the very future of planet Earth, here was an opportunity for the UK establishment to depart from past pomp and ritual and set a wonderful example for future UK and global wellbeing.

Had a decision been taken to hold a royal family funeral, with TV and online broadcast, but without multiple gun salutes, multiple ceremonial events and an international guest list, the massive costs of these could have instead been used to support those in greatest need in the UK and perhaps elsewhere.

The reduction in international carbon footprint would also have been exemplary worldwide as to how do such things more responsibly.

The UK Government and establishment could have shown a real leadership relevant to the needs of today. Instead we have seen yet another process of UK self-indulgence and missed opportunity that the late Queen herself may well have believed inappropriate given the critical issues currently confronting UK and world wellbeing.

James Dippie
Dalry

MUCH is being said of what has been “lost”, in reference to the late Queen: some saying she was the glue of Union, and now she’s gone, all is lost (but not for us surely, the awkward indy squad). Or flip it and we are told the new King will continue to glue us all together. But the “through the looking glass” confusion continues with the statements claiming the no-show of Saltires on display in Scotland showed a lack of desire for independence.

How little is understood of Scots and public mourning. But spinning is such a dark art, since conversely the lack of flags, presumably including Union Jacks, became a show of respect. You always have to ask, who’s spinning what and why?

So maybe we should be focusing on what we’ve lost. It’s been estimated by better statisticians than I that there have been only six out of 55 working days in relation to direct government via the Houses of Parliament. We’re about to enter 24 days of recess for those hallowed party conferences. So much for them doing the day job!

Change can be looked on as progress, but there are occasions when change is accompanied by loss. We were lied to when they told us we’d be better together. Having dusted ourselves down, we voted to stay in the EU only to lose out again and experience the reality of another round of lies and imposed change. The figure is being quoted of €122-140 billion in the way of a windfall tax being imposed by the EU on energy suppliers. But have no fear, there’s the potential of a round figure of £200 billion here in the UK. Alas not a windfall tax, but the taxes we will pay back to the energy suppliers as they retain their profits. No question of loss to profit-makers, then.

There will be many in the general population who may feel a sense of loss, or maybe even some form of unexplainable discomfort; undefinable feelings on many levels. But there will be no loss of effort and focus in the corridors of power, government and institutions that have the future of the Union as their core concept. We’re going to be buffeted again and again, from stats and figures to faux outrage at even the thought of us being so ungrateful as to want to leave. As times change, there are so many of us in the grassroots still working away on Scotland’s future.

This is a moment in history without a doubt, but please, Scotland’s ability to make change cannot falter now.

Selma Rahman
Edinburgh

IT is shocking to see the UK Government arguing in court that Great Britain is a foreign country for Northern Ireland as regards the movement of goods.

In Belfast High Court last week barrister Tony McGleenan, for the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, argued it was necessary apply the “wider legal framework” of the Withdrawal Agreement and the protocol as regards checks on goods, essentially arguing that that references to the territory of the EU should be read as including NI in the context of trade from GB.

This doesn’t bode will for the intentions of the new Prime Minister and the ERG ministers Steve Baker and Chris Heaton-Harris to fix the Northern Ireland protocol with regards to restoring the Act of Union and the UK internal market.

I would point out that the PM has twice said any deal on the protocol must achieve the same outcome as the Northern Ireland protocol bill. We must reiterate that over and over to the government.

Alan Day
County Tyrone

NO wonder the length of the queues to see the Queen’s boxie were big news – it must be the longest seen since the days we used to queue for the “Sosh” divi! (The Co-op, for those too young to remember.)

And though I have no idea if the Queen knew Latin, if she spoke Doric then she may well have translated “nemo me impune lacessit” as “Wha daur meddle wi’ me”! A good motto for independence?

P Davidson
Falkirk

IS it no a grand thocht aa they republican chiels greitin intae their parritch threipin aboot democraisy. It wad seem lyke they republicans dinna hae the franchise. The feck o’ us hae the franchise bit they dinna forbye the feck o’ us dinna mynd their havers an clavers. Is thon no awfu?

Fer me it will aye be Lang Lieve the King o’ Scots an a free independent Scotland.

R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian