Nicola Sturgeon’s new arguments for Scottish independence sound as bad as those for Brexit

The economy was the determining factor in 2014 when the canny Scots refused to buy what the Scottish National Party was trying to sell. For the majority living north of the border, especially those like me with a mixed heritage, our relationship with Holyrood is transactional, while the idea of “independence” is sentimental.

So when Nicola Sturgeon talks of the “despair of Brexit”, she should be aware that most of us see her dream of hiving Scotland off from the rest of the United Kingdom in similar terms. She may rejoice over the mess Theresa May is making of leaving the EU but to me, her renewed arguments for a Scottish fiscal future out with the UK sound just as shambolic.

Rev Dr John Cameron

St Andrews

The Church is complete nonsense. I understand people need to believe in something in a time of need, but religion should be banned. The only good thing about the Church is the actual building – the workmanship is excellent.

We should hold referendums for major decisions all the time. At least the people get to have a say in this world, because at the moment the world seems to be bullied by governments. There is no listening to the people any more, just “do this or else”. That’s no way to run a country and that’s no way to live.

This is the right decision but also people should help themselves as much as possible to not put themselves in this position. Well done though, Ireland, for fighting for this.

Shaun Middleton

Via e-mail

Kudos to The Independent for ringing alarm bells on the rise of obesity. Obesity is a stubborn global health epidemic, a common contributor to multiple health and social problems. It has negative impacts on societies ranging from loss of work productivity to poor academic performance, sick leave and impaired social growth.

As the number of those afflicted by the scourge of obesity continues to pose a major dilemma, policy makers need to know that not only sugary and fat intakes, sedentary lifestyle and modern technology leads to obesity, but impoverishment, education, energy, water, transportation infrastructure, climate and environmental change, low self-esteem and rigorous working conditions are major culprits too.

There is an urgent need for decision makers to tackle obesity holistically, unravel its intricacies, reduce its costs and relieve its social and economic burdens.

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob

London NW2

If a teacher is banned for teaching for life for calling a white board marker the “magic pen of sex” (Home news in brief, Saturday), then shouldn’t the CEO of an Age Concern branch, who defrauded the charity of £700,000, get the same treatment, rather than a 10-year ban from being a director?

Nigel Fox

Leamington Spa

We are constantly reminded that small and medium-sized enterprises are the mainstay of the British economy. I was recently approached by a one-man business who was so busy he was considering taking on an additional person to help expand.

I pointed out that, if he did, he would have to spend so much of his time complying with all the regulations he would really not be better off. The increase in turnover would require VAT registration and EC Sales List compliance. He would need to set up a pension scheme. He would need to implement a PAYE system to comply with the “just in time” reporting required by HMRC. He would need to familiarise himself with reams of HSE regulations including risk assessments.

And now he will need to produce a data protection policy under the General Data Protection Regulation. This will leave him little time to follow his trade. We decided he was better off just working for himself.

I don’t suppose when we have a government full of people who have never had any real experience in the field of manufacturing let alone small businesses things are likely to improve.

G Forward

Stirling

According to your report on Saturday, research shows that feeding cows with seaweed can reduce 99 per cent of their greenhouse gas emissions. We should put Messrs Fox, Gove and Johnson on such a diet. It might reduce the amount of hot air coming from Theresa May’s cabinet.

Roger Hinds

Coulsdon, Surrey