Break-up of the EU? Be careful what you wish for

JACK Haynes (Viewpoints, March 23) highlights the unfortunate lapses in solidarity shown by EU leaders in their attitudes to the manufacture and use of vaccines.

Covid-19 has highlighted the best and worst of human nature so it is hardly surprising that in a bloc of 27 nations there should be disagreements.

Jack ends his letter by commenting that more countries could be leaving the EU. This is a clear case of taking care what you wish for. We may no longer be part of the EU but this is not a good reason for anticipating that disagreement might lead to its breaking up.

We have made our own mistakes in dealing with the virus. We have substantial numbers of people refusing or being unwilling to have the jab and crucial workers inside and outside the NHS are being denied the protection they need.

Coincidentally with the coming of the pandemic there are worrying breakdowns in normal law and order and we don’t need to look abroad to see shocking scenes of violence on our streets.

Covid-19 has made us fearful, frightened not only for ourselves and our families but for the population at large. Fear can provoke deeds of heroism and also dark anti-social acts damaging to the ordered life of society.

It is a popular notion to think back to the 1940s (particularly by those who were not there at the time) and to suggest that we emulate the spirit of the time, to stand firm and show the bulldog spirit. That was good for then, we had no other choice when faced with the Nazi war machine, but things are different now.

Old enemies have learned to live together in peace. This is what is important, we can disagree on the details but the big picture is what counts.

We made our choice with Brexit, we have decided to stand alone but it will benefit neither us nor the varied peoples of continental Europe if the EU falls to pieces. Rod Slater, Lymm