IT was interesting to see an interview yesterday with BBC senior journalist Sarah Smith outlining positively Scotland’s handling of the Covid crisis compared to Westminster, the First Minister’s growth in popularity and the rise in support for Independence.
Angus Robertson of Progress Scotland, asked to comment, made the point that the successful handling of Covid by the Scottish Government showed that other important issues could be handled just as successfully.
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There is a serious threat posed to the devolved legislatures by the Westminster government by its proposed imposition of the “internal market” in the post-Brexit UK. This must be resisted in every way. An important aspect of the Scottish economy is the value of the produce of Scottish whisky, agriculture and fisheries and the high value set on the Scottish brand by overseas buyers. We have all seen the attempts to market soft fruit and much else as “British”. We also know that Donald Trump wants access to UK markets with cheaper, inferior US products.
We must protect our fishermen and our farmers in every way possible.
When we achieve independence, we should be thinking ahead to create greener and more rational means of transportation to Europe.
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It makes no sense to have refrigerated lorries travelling the length of the UK from the north of Scotland to ports in the south of England.
We should be strategically planning the development of ports in the north and the east coast to take fish and Scottish produce directly to Europe. We should also be planning new tourism strategies that have the same links to Europe and our northern neighbours. We must consider developing shipbuilding for travel (not for the Ministry of Defence) and transport for goods.
Angus Robertson is right – we could do it all so much better!
Maggie Chetty
Glasgow
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