Sir, – I am surprised that Alister Jack MP has informed his constituents that we 'shouldn’t be afraid' of a no-deal Brexit. This is in complete contrast to what those involved in businesses in Scotland have said.

Speaking at the SNP conference, NFU Scotland's director of Policy, Jonnie Hall, stated that a no-deal Brexit would be 'a cliff edge from which Scottish agriculture, most of it, would find terminal'. In other words, many farmers in my region, D and G, would go out of business.

CBI Scotland estimated the UK government’s predicted 8.1% drop in real gross value added (GVA) in Scotland by 2034 following a no-deal Brexit could amount to an annual loss of Scottish output worth £14bn. A drop of this magnitude would hit jobs and living standards, the CBI warned, and is more than the annual amount spent on hospitals, GP surgeries and other health services in Scotland.

D and G NHS stated a no-deal would cause 'immediate disruption' and there was a high risk to 'the provision of safe care', and of losing vital EU staff.

Just think about that for a minute. According to its own analysis, our local NHS has real concerns that its ability to deliver care and treatment could be compromised.

A 'no-deal' Brexit could throw D and G seafood exports into chaos by causing border delays that would quickly render high-value lorry loads of live and fresh fish worthless. Smaller fishermen and seafood companies have said they could be wiped out if a post-Brexit deal brings tariffs or border checks for exports to vital markets in Europe.

CBI Scotland director, Tracy Black, said a disorderly Brexit could affect jobs and livelihoods in Scotland for years to come.

Ed Monaghan, chief executive officer of CBI Scotland, said 'the prospect of leaving the EU with no-deal is unimaginable'.

Unfortunately, not to Mr Jack it isn’t. David Mundell MP has stated he would not block a no-deal Brexit.

Do Mr Jack and Mr Mundell really know better than people who have sunk their life savings into their business; than those farmers who completely rely on the EU export market; than those lobster fisherman who must have their produce in Paris within 24 hours?

As an escape from this Brexit madness, fortunately, the Scottish Government has a democratic mandate to seek agreement for a second independence referendum. The Scottish Parliament voted for it. That is democracy.

That is why our group of English people, campaigning for Scottish independence, living in D and G believe, that whatever political party you support, Holyrood needs to make these decisions on behalf of people, businesses and the NHS in Scotland, not Westminster.

John Schofield

Dumfries,

D and G English Scots for Yes