THE letter from Russell Vallance (May 15) did make me smile, wryly, though clearly there is nothing to smile about. The suggestion is that the EU should, as a result of the UK's unilateral exit, scale back its plans to improve Europe's infrastructure. Why? The EU has a project, call it a vision. It is not one entirely built of self-interest. Regions of the UK will benefit for many years both from the UK infrastructure funded under European programmes and from improving infrastructure in the rest of the European Union.
As regards the rights of the people who have organised their lives and those of their families according to free movement arrangements originally intended to be permanent, it is perfectly reasonable to ensure they are not disrupted at all and, frankly, given the fickle nature of this Government, dancing to the tune of the right-wing press with little regard for the constitution, with little inclination to defend the courts, with little regard for inter-nation partnerships, even suggesting lessening security as a negotiating lever, and being driven to set a net migration figure which is not achievable, why should the UK be trusted to abide by any agreement without involvement of the European courts?
Last week, I had the privilege of viewing the developing Scottish-Jewish Archives which document some remarkable lives, lives of individuals, of real people, settling in Scotland having escaped from the collapsing Russian Empire and the horrors of subsequent European wars and genocidal atrocities. This week I will sing with the Glasgow Phoenix Choir in aid of Poppy Scotland and the Royal British Legion (Royal Concert Hall,
May 19). Singing about the fallen, however, generates a sense of anger at UK politicians' willingness to seek to characterise our European partners as an enemy, to endanger and weaken an institution founded to prevent Europe's citizens suffering again the dreadful wars which scarred Europe with regularity over the centuries.
Clearly, any Brexit deal (massively complex though the whole negotiation will be) should be equitable. However, the European project is in a historical context much more important than the terms of any deal or size of any cheque.
Michael Dean,
Honorary Consul for Germany, Glasgow,
I George Square, Glasgow.
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