Brexit opens Europe up to Russia

■ The lack of cop-on among many British politicians regarding Brexit is hard to believe.

The original incarnation of the EU was formed in 1951 after a devastating war on the European continent with the objectives of (i) rebuilding Europe through enhanced trade and (ii) the prevention of future conflict.

The UK voted to leave the EU after a highly questionable referendum campaign by Brexiteers and now the politicians are hopelessly at sixes and sevens around what to do next. It’s a farce, but it’s not funny.

At a time when Russia is becoming bolder and more bellicose (the annexation of the Crimea a few years ago, the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and its lethal involvement in Syria being clear evidence of this), Europe should be pulling together and strengthening itself as a deterrent to possible further Russian aggression. It is no wonder that the Baltic countries are highly concerned.

The Brexiteers appear to have no appreciation for recent history and seem to be only concerned by their own petty objectives. They have no concept of the bigger picture and, if they are successful, apart from the likelihood of dragging the UK into an economic backwater, they will leave Europe without one of its strongest members and thus materially weakened.

I really hope that good sense will prevail and the UK changes its mind. We need a strong Europe now as much as we ever did.

Pádraig Kiernan

Rathfarnham, Dublin 16