Why the silence from Remainers?

Sir — On the continuing Brexit mess, one has to wonder why the Remainers are staying so quiet. In November, three quarters of a million people marched against Brexit in London. Since then there have been only token protests outside Westminster.

In view of the obstinacy of the British prime minister and the antics in the crowded sardine tin that is the House of Commons, surely the time has come for a more active approach in order to stop sleepwalking into the abyss. The present situation has been created by what was effectively a false referendum where there was only one clear option — to stay — and one completely unclear, to leave. No mention of terms or conditions.

One can only hope that common sense will prevail, that money and business will talk. That the ordinary decent British people will put pressure on politicians over the coming weeks to at least postpone Brexit and stay in the customs union or an equivalent arrangement.

The backstop could then be suspended. Further negotiations could take place, hopefully leading to a second referendum. To advocate all this may seem like meddling in British politics, but it must be remembered this is not just an internal matter but one that has massive implications for Britain’s neighbours, especially Ireland.

Also, little thought has been given to the contribution that the EU, for all its faults, has made to peace and stability in Europe over the past decades. All this should not be lightly thrown aside. In the meantime, the Irish Government has no choice but to stick with the backstop. To abandon it, as some commentators are saying, would leave us wide open to any system of tariffs and trade restrictions in the future, in effect a hard border.

B Swanton, Caherconlish,

Co Limerick