December 31 will be a sad day for Britain
Dear Editor, Boris Johnson’s Deal is being trumpeted as a triumph. On the contrary it is a sad day for Britain.
In trade with the EU, Britain has a deficit in goods and a surplus in services.
The Deal gives EU goods tariff-free access to the British market but makes no provision for Britain’s service sector to access the European market.
This deal reminds us that economically we were far better off within the European Union.
Culturally too we are worse off in a way which will directly affect Stirling University.
The Erasmus scheme made it financially possible for British students to study in Europe and European students to study here.
It widened the experience of many Stirling students and attracted European students to Stirling.
Boris Johnson promised in Parliament that the Erasmus scheme would not be touched. In fact, The UK has withdrawn from it.
At the last minute it has been replaced by a less generous Uk-only scheme.
There will be no replacement for the funding which brought the many European students to
Stirling who broadened and enriched life on the campus and in the classroom.
December 31 will be a sad day but not a moment for despair.
Stirling4europe is urging all who believe our place is in the European Union to display a sign in their window on the day we leave with the simple message “Our home is still in Europe” or the hash tag Wewillbeback.
Alastair Duncan Stirling4europe which brings everyone together for the festivities, the team is delivering Christmas chocolates to each and every person they look after.
This has been possible from the fundraising we do year round for our Christmas party.
I want to thank each and every one of my care team members who have gone above and beyond in this year of crisis.
Given the restrictions on how Christmas can be celebrated, there are some suggestions to bring a little happiness to someone else in your community.
Could you pick up the phone, and call someone you know is on their own, to give them some social contact?
You could offer to fetch shopping, within the social distancing guidelines, or post letters, or fetch prescriptions. Just starting a conversation in the street, a smile and saying hello over the garden gate or through a window, can make an enormous difference to someone who is feeling a bit out of sorts, during all the challenges the pandemic has thrown up for our society. Any of us could deliver an extra Christmas card sending good wishes and bringing some cheer.
Deputy manager, Nicola Robertson