THERESA May gambled and lost – spectacularly – in her desire to crush Jeremy Corbyn, sort out the pernicious Scots and reinforce her own, very obvious, "hard" Brexit ambitions. Now – but only with the dubious support of the DUP – she clearly intends to continue where she left off, come what May, so to speak. So soon after her disastrous election performance, she has already closed her mind to the possibility that, come October or November, neither she, nor her party, may be in power.

In this quite likely event, what becomes of Brexit and the negotiations which, by then, will have been proceeding apace for four or five months? Could a "replacement" Prime Minister or new government pick up where David Davis leaves off – would they even want to? Would the replacement go for a hard Brexit, a soft Brexit, or even no Brexit at all? Who knows?

After the election debacle, it's no longer clear what the public or the main parties' mind is: there have been many significant game changes since the EU referendum. Given that much of the mess has been brought about solely by the PM's own poor judgment and naked opportunism, is she or any of her close colleagues fit, or even entitled, to open formal negotiations with the EU later this month?

If there is a bright side in all of this, it is that perhaps the PM has unwittingly created an opportunity for some last-minute, sensible and sober reflection. So far as Brexit is concerned "perhaps the time is not right" – to paraphrase her response to the First Minister's request for a second referendum. Thankfully, at least that was an unequivocal and welcome blessing in her otherwise disastrous decisions.

J Napier,

71A Park Street,

Alva.

IT seemed difficult in the 2017 General Election to make voters realise just how disastrous leaving the EU will be.

People who work in specific areas affected by leaving the EU do understand what it means. Farmers know that their subsidies will reduce dramaticallywWhen we are no longer in the EU. Sheep farmers in the marginal areas of Scotland and Wales may disappear along with their sheep. Suddenly a lot of farms seem to be for sale.

Those working in the pharmaceutical industry understand that we are coming out of The European Medical Agency which regulates standards. Individual pharmaceutical companies will have to negotiate their own deals in future.

Will Scottish fishing waters really be restored to Scotland in a UK-negotiated Brexit deal when the interests of London merchant bankers and financiers have to be protected so that they can have free access to the European financial markets?

In future will we still be able to pop on a plane to Europe whenever we want to, never mind being able to live and work there? Legislation on standards for clean air, clean beaches and very importantly water all come from Europe, not to mention protection of our human rights and the huge advantages that universities gain From European funding and co-operation.

In other words, so much for Scotland to think about. Would an independent Scotland in Europe be such a bad idea?

Susan Grant,

Mansfield Cottage,

Scotsburn Road,

Tain.

FOUND wanting in judgment, communication and flair, and with her credibility diminished, Theresa May's position with regard to Brexit negotiations and leading an unstable and fractious Conservative Government is untenable.

The buck does not stop with advisers. It goes all the way to the top and childhood romps in a wheat field are no preparation for separating political chaff.

It's goodbye from the advisers and it should be goodbye from her.

R Russell Smith,

96 Milton Road,

Kilbirnie.