The people are now better informed

NEVER has so much time, money and effort been wasted negotiating an EU exit trade deal that is worse than the one we’ve got.

But why the shock and awe? The EU has said from the outset that they are not prepared to change their rules and regulations just to accommodate the UK’s cherry-picking approach. Why should they?

I wrote in a previous letter that the EU would probably agree a free trade deal on goods because it’s in their interest to do so but would not agree a similar deal for financial services and the banks. That’s essentially what’s on offer. If parliament rejects May’s deal and are not prepared to accept a no deal, the nation will have to decide. As I see it, there are two options: First, do we want to become a low tax, low regulation and low social provision nation like Singapore? That is, a no deal outcome. Or do we want to remain a nation committed to social justice, cooperation and common rules. That is remain in the EU where we have a leading leadership role and veto.

The people are now better informed of the benefits and consequences of leaving and only they should have the right to decide on a course of action that could change the UK’s post-war commitment to social justice, regulation and a mixed economy.

We cannot leave such an important decision to self-serving politicians who in the past week have made me feel ashamed to be British.

Bryan D Prescott Caerphilly