CONTRARY to the view of Conservative MP Iain Duncan. Scotland could in fact join the EU after a Yes victory in a second independence referendum without difficulty (“It does not stack up that Scotland could easily join EU after a Yes vote”, Agenda, The Herald, February 21). I too voted to remain in the EU. I also voted Yes for independence and would continue to do so whether Scotland was in the EU or out. My reason for wanting independence is that the alternative is to remain in the UK probably out of the EU.

The UK is a leaderless economic basket case with high inequality and low productivity and was happy to siphon off Scotland's positive revenues for more than 35 years but now slags off Scotland's deficit after one year’s drop-off in oil revenues. The deficit which showed in rather suspect GERs figures is a direct consequence of the UK's economic incompetence and will only ever be corrected through independence.

Once the Scots get off their backsides and vote for independence then we have the choice of an agreement similar to Norway or full membership fast-tracked ahead of Serbia, Montenegro and Turkey. The EU vision of an incorporating union is foolish and will be rejected by other members of the EU but the single market – the second largest trading bloc in the world – is an option we must not ignore.

Mr Duncan is worried about Scotland's fishermen who were sold out by Margaret Thatcher and the Tories when the Common Fisheries Policy was formed. Under Brexit they will be sold out again if the EU closes its door to Scottish fish exports.

Ninety-five per cent of EU directives on health, welfare, human rights, environment, economic development as well as trade will help Scotland to recover from the worst of Westminster's stupidities. A centralised, inward-looking Europe is to be opposed whether we are a member of the EU or not. It would be good to think that an independent Scotland could form a partnership with England to campaign for a more open Europe. Unfortunately under the Tories led by their anti-immigration core that seems unlikely for the immediate future.

George Leslie,

North Glassock, Fenwick.

I AM mildly intrigued your report concerning the fact that both Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and the unelected Prime Minister attended the House of Lords debate on Article 50 (“Johnson’s pressure point”, The Herald, February 22).

Is there no sense of irony in politics? The pair appeared separately, sat on the steps up to the throne and scowled at the unelected Lords to intimidate them from opposing the Government’s will. Apparently they were entitled to attend as they are Privy Counsellors; in this respect can we expect to see appearances from First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and her predecessor Alex Salmond?

Incidentally at the Queen’s Speech we have the ceremonial fol de rol of Black Rod knocking on the door to ask permission for the Commoners to be allowed in; was this nonsensical formality adhered to on this occasion?

Jim Lynch,

42 Corstorphine Hill Crescent, Edinburgh.

THERESA May deserves fulsome praise from her right wing Brexiters, who campaigned with the slogan "Take our Country Back". She is succeeding beyond their greatest expectations in taking our country back to the Dickensian era - a task made so much easier as we're already halfway there with her attacks on society's poorest and most vulnerable. Hard Brexit means hard times.

James Stevenson,

Drummond Avenue, Auchterarder.

HAVING observed the cloned mock outrage by the SNP regarding the forthcoming visit by President Trump to the UK one has to wonder what the real reason is behind the rhetoric. Could it be that our nationalist politicians believe Scotland is a paragon of virtue which qualifies us to lecture other democratic countries on how they should run their affairs whilst being silent on dictatorships? Or is it a smokescreen for another agenda?

For example, it could be because President Trump said Brexit would be good for the UK and that he would put us "front of the line" for a bilateral trade deal which would mean other countries would follow suit, including some countries from the EU – thus spelling the death knell for any future European-style multilateral agreements.

The reality is that there can be little doubt a successful Brexit (backed by the US) would be good for Scotland and the rest of the UK but a disaster for the SNP, which wants to destroy the UK single market (four times larger than the EU combined) and hitch its wagon to an increasingly dysfunctional and divided EU.

So perhaps the next time we see Alex Salmond or Ms Sturgeon grandstanding when lampooning President Trump we should remember what their real agenda is – independence at any cost and not Scotland's best interests.

Ian Lakin,

Pinelands,

Murtle Den Road, Milltimber, Aberdeen.