Is the Brexit referendum result invalid?

WE HAD a referendum about whether to leave the EU, and a majority of those who voted wanted to leave. Some are now saying the result was unfair and want a second referendum. Why? We have a democratic system and fought wars so we could be a nation of free choice. The essence of democracy is accepting the will of the majority: if we don’t do that each time there’s a vote, all those lives lost in wars will have been in vain, the UK will no longer be a democratic country and mob rule would take over. With hindsight, the vote should never had been called: everyone thought Remain was a forgone conclusion. The British people were underestimated by government, media, surveys, businesses etc. And we now have no party leaders steering our country: shame on all concerned.

JACK BRADSHAW, Manchester. tHe idea of a holding second referendum to test just how much the electorate really wanted Brexit hasn’t been given enough consideration. the British are being told that ‘this is democracy at work’ and to lump it. But I would challenge anyone to explain how the outcome of this referendum can be deemed valid. the electorate was assured a plan was ready to implement Brexit, that £350 million a week would be available to fund other things, notably the nHs, and that Brexit would mean significant reduction in immigration. so people voted on the referendum question on misleading information, and it is obvious the result can’t possibly be valid. the standards applied to a vote such as this, a single, very critical and very technical matter, should not be the same as when a person or a party is elected. In those cases we are judging whether we trust the people concerned to make the right judgments on our behalf. In the case of this referendum the onus was on us to judge. the British people have been sold a pup by ruthless individuals, and the world is aghast. a second referendum, conducted to more rigorous standards, or another means of ensuring the people’s voice is heard is needed before irreversible commitments are made. that is true British democracy.

MICHAEL EVERETT, address supplied.