We must sort our own house out first

Sir — Just a quick reminder to Dan O’Brien (‘Joining the Commonwealth would help address the Brexit conundrum’, Sunday Independent, October 29): his opinion is not new — Gay Mitchell had it circa 2011.

The matter of re-joining the Commonwealth is a matter of principle and morality, not simply appeasement of unionists and simplistic economics.

Perhaps for once we have the chance to flourish and sell our wares and skills further afield, hold politicians responsible for actually serving the public and stop this careerist approach to public office, and stop this banana republic “me fein-itis” mentality of fat, greedy children being allowed access to the sweet shop and to finally cease sucking on the teats of our English speaking neighbours.

We must sort our house out first. Remember, it was their choice, albeit by a slender margin, and the demographic showed the majority of young voters were open-minded and “adult” enough to vote to remain. Many friends of mine in the UK were genuinely shattered by the result. The disenfranchised myopics won, the mature voters lost — this time.

For once they will dance to our tune — they will need us as a conduit to the rest of Europe. Irish people have the opportunity to flourish without British dependency. John Collins,

Shankill