LEARNING from history is very important to avoid making the same mistakes as previous generations. However, we can often be quite selective in our learning and tailor the subject matter to support the direction in which we wish our society to travel. It is important to understand who selects the material to be reviewed and presented and hence select the direction of travel.

Using the “Classical” resources which explain the tactics and strategies used by the Romans in their conquests – the “Mogul Hordes” that swept westwards and caused the displacement of the Huns, Goths and Vandals to migrate and displace tribes of Gauls, Celts and Britons – sets the scene.

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“Foreigners” are coming here to take your place, your house, your land, kill your family, capture your wife. Quite a male perspective – loss of property and life is the overall description.

Since the late 1990s the selection of history topics has broadened to include more local history rather than simply the British Empire and the conquest of half of the world, on which the sun never set.

UK Home Secretary Braverman last week performed a massive U-Turn, where the previous decision to recognise these migrants to the UK as citizens of the UK has been rescinded.

These migrants, who were asked by the UK Government to come and join us in the UK on Assisted Passages on the “Windrush” and other ships and back-fill in the vacancies created by war, have been “cast adrift” by the UK Home Office, making these long-term migrants of more than 20 and 30 years stateless.

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Proposing to repatriate them to their country of ethnic origin, which they do not recognise and in which they have no cultural investment, is another strategy.

To prevent, dissuade and delay potential migrants from setting off on their trip to the UK, assisted by major crime syndicates or not, is the objective.

People starving, at risk of dying, rape or loss of land have few alternatives. Survival is the most powerful force.

Migration has been going on forever, and it will continue.

These migrants come in peace, they come looking for a job and a peaceful society.

Alistair Ballantyne
Birkhill, Angus

I’M sure the vast majority of readers will remember us being told in 2014 (by a Tory) that it is government policy NOT to award naval warship contracts outwith the UK. That if we voted Yes in the indyref2, ALL those shipbuilding jobs would be lost, as we would be outwith the UK.

Fast-forward nine years and we have a report in The National saying some will be built in SPAIN (Concern over ‘offshoring’ of warships contracts, Jan 27)! When will the Scottish population realise they will say (or do) ANYTHING, legal or illegal, to prevent self-government in our country? IF we are such an economic liability – subsidy junkies dependent on Westminster largesse – WHY are they so desperate to keep control over us?

Barry Stewart
Blantyre

IT is reported that the SNP membership will be asked to vote on the following option regarding the next UK election at their convention in March: “If a majority of those voting in the election vote SNP – or if the combined votes for the SNP and any other party with which it has reached a pro-independence agreement in advance of the election – constitute a majority of votes cast we will consider that a mandate to enter negotiations with the UK Government to secure independence.”

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Could the SNP explain 1) why any other party supporting independence needs to reach an agreement with the SNP prior to the election and 2) which political parties they had in mind?

Alison Fraser
Inverness