Government is ignoring crucial points on Brexit

WE NOW know that the Government plans to deal with Brexit by negotiating and concluding exit arrangements over money, treaties, common EU programmes and a wholly bespoke free trade agreement — all within two years.

This approach is a crude and unrealistic “give us what we want or we will happily crash out of everything”. On the other hand, we have been treated to the sight of Tony Blair urging the public to “rise up” and reject Brexit altogether, presumably offering a craven apology to the other EU members for having the temerity to question the project.

I would ask who is representing those of us who support — or accept — Brexit but want to aim for a sensible landing, staying in the single market and possibly rejoining the European Free Trade Association?

I cannot believe this option is simply being ignored by the Government. The process of leaving the EU should not be dictated by a handful of Tory hardliners and challenged only by whining Remainers. If we do not speak up we will lose out.

AS SOMEONE who has advocated leaving the EU for more than two decades, I resent people suggesting I am out to “wreck” the Brexit bill by seeking to amend it [“House of Lords urged to pass Brexit Bill unamended to avoid ‘pitting peers against people’”, February 20].

Many of us have huge concerns that we will lose environmental and social protections because of the way the Prime Minister is approaching these negotiations. I am concerned that the Cabinet will try to dump protections for everything from wildlife and countryside to workers’ rights and climate change, by using a combination of exit negotiations and secondary legislation.

It is wrong to use the referendum result as cover for by-passing proper parliamentary scrutiny, and the Lords has the job of ensuring a democratic process is followed throughout the different stages of the negotiations.

As for threats to abolish the Lords and replace it with a democratically elected second chamber, that would be a welcome bonus. I AM shocked by Tony Blair’s call to “rise up and reject Brexit”. Why is he trying to incite some kind of revolution because he does not agree with the result of the EU vote?

I voted in the 1975 referendum called by Harold Wilson asking us to remain in the European Economic Community. When the electorate voted Remain, I do not remember anyone suggesting the result should be rejected and, subsequently, the UK joined the EU. Blair should keep his opinions to himself.