Dear Editor, Scotsman (16th March 2021),

It’s hard to know what Scottish Labour stands for apart from adhering to Sir Keir’s dictat that an independence referendum is verboten (Scottish Perspective, 16 March). No wonder Labour is hanging on by a thread. Nevertheless, Mr. Sarwar bravely plows on with his post-Covid recovery plan for Scotland that includes a ‘comeback’ plan for schools. His own kids are privately educated.  

He credits Labour with the creation of the NHS over 70 years ago, but ignores how both major parties have underfunded and privatised large chunks of the NHS, with more sell-offs to American companies planned to secure a much-needed post-Brexit trade deal. 

Labour backed Boris’ hard Brexit that has seen a 63% plunge in Scottish exports, more than 20% worse than the UK figure. The Chief Executive of Scottish Food and Drink said the crash can’t be blamed on Covid, but on the erection of huge, new, non-tariff trade barriers with our largest market.^[1]

Brexit has given the Tories free reign to dismantle devolution. They are bypassing our Parliament and directing Covid recovery money to Tory seats. The funds aren’t additional, but merely replace some of the money that came from the EU pre-Brexit. 

The only way for Scotland to rebuild post-Covid is by having the full range of economic powers that any independent nation enjoys, so we can focus on Scottish needs and priorities to build a fairer, more sustainable society. And it’s the only way Scottish Labour can ever win back the trust of the Scottish people.

Yours sincerely, Leah Gunn Barret

^[1]https://www.businessforscotland.com/recovery-claim-challenged-as-scottish-exports-to-eu-slump-by-63-after-brexit-deal/