JUST a reminder that the chaos we are now facing was entirely predictable.
Not only was the shortage of skilled staff – including NHS workers, lorry drivers, vets and dentists — predicted by those who were campaigning to remain in the EU, and also in a government report called Yellowhammer. Our Prime Minister, obsessed as he is by controlling immigration, took no action.
READ MORE: Tories' pointless threats will do nothing to change the Brexit deal they agreed
He seems to prefer to ignore official reports. He did nothing about the desperate shortage of Personal Protective Equipment, predicted in the Cygnus report into our readiness to handle a flu epidemic. Instead, he panicked and spent around £1 billion on equipment which did not meet the WHO standards and could not be used – just one of his failures during the Covid pandemic.
The poor electorate are likely to have to wait for at least a couple of years before the tragedy that is a Boris Johnson government can end. We in Scotland do have an alternative. We must opt for the freedom to decide our own future, and soon!
Pete Rowberry
via email
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here