Lack of a Brexit deal would be catastrophic

Sir, – In a negotiation usually both parties set out their position, and then gradually come together to a mutually agreeable outcome.

In the case of Brexit, the EU are united, clearly stated their position at the start, and have not really moved at all.

One would expect that the party which is unhappy, and wishing to make a change ,would have a very clear idea of what they wanted to achieve, and how they wanted to go about it.

Not the UK however: our Government presented a vague wishlist, most of it clearly not acceptable to the EU, because they could not get agreement among their different factions, and are still no nearer agreement on exactly what they want.

In the latest UK opinion poll, on July 20, the most popular option was to remain in the EU; the top four Government ministers all voted remain in the referendum; and most MP’s and almost all businesses are against a hard Brexit.

Despite this, it looks like a “no deal” Brexit is where we are headed.

Meanwhile Labour, the official opposition, hope to benefit from the coming chaos so sit and say nothing.

The SNP, having already been told that Scotland’s status in the UK is that of a county council, have done, and continue to do, what they can, but, it seems, to no avail.

In fact it seems now that the issues are so intractable, and the positions so entrenched, that a hard Brexit, which will be calamitous for the country, and bad for Europe, is inevitable. Les Mackay. 5 Carmichael Gardens, Dundee.

Picture: PA. One correspondent argues the UK has ventured so far into Brexit dealings that there is no going back.