VOTES of confidence are a fairly well-known constitutional procedure in the UK, though in practice seldom used.

The present Conservative Government and its competence over the negotiating and enacting of the Brexit proceedings are surely grounds for such a parliamentary motion.

The UK public is totally in the dark as to where we are in this process, where we are aiming to be and how it’s proposed we get there. We also have no idea on the costs to various industrial/service sectors (though there has apparently been research on this), the geographic spread of disadvantage within the UK as a result of Brexit, and how this will impact on Scotland to be parochial for a minute). I have yet to hear any coherent comments from the Secretary of State for Scotland on this issue.

As the Prime Minister (who has only limited authority left) warns us to prepare for a hard Brexit, and the Chancellor states he has no budget planned to spend on this eventuality, we should all fear the worst possible outcome from this dysfunctional government. Expect no succour from the equally shambolic Labour opposition.

And remember, as the Panama Papers revealed, many people at the top of society have their monies stashed abroad in tax havens, and won’t feel the same Brexit impact as the bulk of the population.

GR Weir,

17 Mill Street,

Ochiltree.

ACCORDING to Neil Oliver, the Highland Clearances were mainly voluntary and the inhabitants of those large tracts of ancestral land being supplanted by sheep was purely coincidental. Can I suggest that the evidence to refute this premise is clearly seen today in the barren landscape that was once home to thousands upon thousands.

However, it would appear that not only were humans replaced by sheep but over the intervening years we as a population have taken on ovine characteristics. We have been blatantly lied to and manipulated into totally unjustly blaming immigrants for every perceived fault in our country. This has been taken to the extreme that the fishing industry voted for Brexit even though it will be the first giveaway to get concessions for the City of London. Or how about the farming community believing that Westminster will replace EU subsidies upon which most farmers totally rely for viability? This effect has even spread to countries when Wales, which is bankrupt without EU subsidies yet voted to leave.

Is this effect because we have are being led by an inspiring shepherd? Hardly. When we assesses the buffoons and incompetents who are tasked with negotiating the future of our country it is obvious no sane person would trust them to muck out a byre. Meanwhile the opposition are willing to forfeit the future to save a few seats they are scared of losing if they actually show some backbone. The situation is compounded by their acolytes who bombard the media with such fantastical predictions that one has to assume they are on controlled drugs.

Surely it is time to stand up to the absurd mantra that it is the "will of the people" and take control once more of our destiny before we are transported to the economic slaughterhouse which is the British Empire mark 2 fantasy.

David Stubley,

22 Templeton Crescent, Prestwick.

KEITH Howell (Letters, October 11) berates the SNP for shortcomings in education, health and ill-judged legislation, suggesting “the years ahead will deliver more of the same as this Scottish Government continues to focus its attention on finding ways of undermining Scotland’s place in the UK”.

Readers may be interested in how your correspondent knows what lies in the years ahead given no one can say with certainty what political developments may lie ahead next week never mind years ahead; I am sure there is a Tory Government in Westminster which may interested in his foresight should he be so gifted and perhaps he can tell us what Scotland’s current place in the UK actually is so we can better reflect on the benefits or otherwise of self-determination.

Ian Johnstone,

Orchard Park Avenue, Glasgow.

NICOLA Sturgeon in one of her recent interviews at the SNP conference said that she is sympathetic to the idea of a second referendum on Brexit when the deal is known because people did not know what Brexit actually meant when they voted in the referendum. Well, people didn't know what Scottish independence would mean when they voted in that referendum. We had the SNP's White Paper but this was no more than a wish list and many of the wishes would have been cast aside through the negotiations that would have followed a Yes vote, disappointing a lot of people.

So if a second independence referendum eventually comes about and is won, does the First Minister's view on Brexit mean that when a settlement with the rest of the UK is reached after negotiations the people of Scotland will be given a chance to accept or reject it? There cannot be one rule for Brexit and another for independence, can there?

Barry Turner,

5 Carberry Close, Musselburgh.

THE Scottish Government says it will pay the Secure Status fee of 20,000 EU citizens working in the Scottish public sector, at a cost of £1.3million. But there are another 125,000 EU citizens working in Scotland, so why not allocate another £7m for them? Many work in catering, hospitality and social care on low wages and with limited access to information. The cost is equivalent to 14,000 Baby Boxes at £500 each. They really need help.

This seems like another headline-grabbing stunt targeted at more accessible, potential voters, not a genuine attempt to help people struggling to get on, desperate to stay in the UK, and often isolated from good advice on their status in the UK and how to fill in the forms.

And while I'm on the subject, the people with the real problems are the near 200,000 non-EU citizens, many of whose long-term goal is to become UK citizens. This is a lengthy, complex process costing around £1,400 and any help with advice and money would be greatly appreciated.

Perhaps this is too expensive and not really promoting the "Brexit is a developing disaster" message, but it would be a great help and send a positive message. You could help 25,000 people for the cost of one year's Baby Boxes (£35m).

Allan Sutherland,

1 Willow Row, Stonehaven.