THAT’S it, surely? Speaker rules out third meaningful vote on Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement. Reasons given were obvious.

What next? Agreement can only be voted on if there are substantial and substantive changes agreed with the EU. The EU have said repeatedly there is no third chance at this! So unilateral changes from HM Government are not valid for the EU!

Are we heading for long delay? Provided the EU assents to that, and it only will do so if there are substantive reasons given by the UK Government for the delay. Its record so far in being precise about what it wants is not impressive. Its negotiating skills are also deplorable, as is its ability to gain consensus beforehand and to consult widely across the spectrum. Its only “success” is to cave in to the DUP! Even bribing does not help!!

READ MORE: John Bercow rules out another vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal as is

The impasse has morphed into a log-jam. Does that mean Theresa May’s second-rate premiership is coming to an end? The government cannot govern unless it bribes, twists and applies chicanery. The Speaker has halted the chicanery.

Enough is surely enough by this time. MPs should walk out of the Commons and convene as a body elsewhere to protest at this government’s behaviour over these events. Theresa May’s split party, split Cabinet and splintering administration is “dying” on its feet. It has forfeited its integrity and is now a laughing stock Europe-wide and here too.

As there is a majority against no-deal, which Theresa May voted against, no agreement on the Withdrawal Agreement in Parliament and no chance of a renegotiation in the short term from the EU, Theresa May’s administration is effectively politically hamstrung and dangling on the edge!

If the EU cannot agree collectively to extend the Brexit date, then the Withdrawal Agreement is null and void.

There is one way out and it was legally tested by the SNP and other MSPs from Holyrood. Article 50 can be revoked. That would satisfy the majority vote for remaining in the EU by the Scots and the Northern Irish.

Let the UK separate now into its constituent nations and it is democratic gains all round. England and Wales can have their EU vote respected too in this way.

It harks back to the movement at the end of the 19th century of Home Rule all Round. Now we can all have independence all round, even England can be happy with leaving not one but two unions. It can survive the end of the UK.

John Edgar
Kilmaurs

“BREXIT” should be about governing the country, creating a healthy, wealthy, safe and rewarding environment for us all. Instead it’s a ridiculous ongoing reality show where dithering, smug, egotistical contestants are waiting for the country to implode. Their “day job” has been forgotten. Instead their personal survival and future success has become their primary purpose.

So Nicola, don’t get drawn into this charade. We want independence, we need independence. So go for it. Go for it now!

Robin Maclean
Fort Augustus

IF I may reply to Jim McLean of London, who was enquiring in the Sunday National about a letter from Burns to Mrs Dunlop, I too could not find any trace of that particular letter, but I did unearth a letter from Burns at Ellisland dated 10th April 1790 to Mrs Dunlop of Dunlop. It is in The National Burns Vol 2 edited by the Rev George Gilfillan, numbered CCXLIV. It is also in The Complete Works of Robert Burns, edited by James Currie MD, published by Milner & Co number XCVI. I believe this letter is as close to answering your question.

READ MORE: Letters, March 17

In this letter, as well as saying that nothing could reconcile him to the common terms “English ambassador,” “English Court,”and the “Commons of England,” he also says, and I quote, “Alas! have I often said to myself, what are all the boasted advantages which my country reaps from the Union, that can counterbalance the annihilation of her independence and even her very name!”

I would suggest that this letter from Burns categorically shreds the unfounded assertions uttered by some Tory MSPs, and other fellow travellers of the same persuasion, that Burns would have been a Unionist!!

David Kirkwood
Bridge of Earn

I SEE Gregor Townsend is trying to deflect attention away from the argument he had with Finn Russell at half time in the match with England by praising the calming influence of Greig Laidlaw. The team did not need calming down, it needed a shot in the arm, which came with Russell’s decision to ignore Townsend’s tactics and to play as Vern Cotter wanted them to.

It is with mixed feelings that I view the second-half display at Twickenham. Of course I am delighted with it, but cannot help thinking what the prospects would be if Vern Cotter were still here.

Ronald Livingstone McNeill
Strachur