Philip Hammond cannot be allowed to redefine the terms of Brexit

SIR – In Theresa May and Boris Johnson’s absence, Philip Hammond seems to have gained control of the Cabinet and is trying to subvert the will of the people.

He has shown a lack of competence in his job as Chancellor and is now taking Brexit in the wrong direction, with talk of a long transition period.

He is in danger of giving the EU negotiating team early concessions that will encourage them to ask for more. As an avid Remainer, that may be his intention. He must be stopped.

Patricia Bateson Diss, Norfolk

SIR – Anyone who has had a senior role in business (and Parliament has a dearth of such people) knows that, if a major transformation is necessary, the more rapidly and urgently it is done, the better. The pain is over in a short time, and the positive part can then occupy people’s time and energy.

A protracted Brexit transition will only drag out the uncertainty and anxieties – and give the Brexit saboteurs, of whom there are many, every opportunity to ensure that Brexit never happens.

Dr Peter Grey Hurley, Berkshire

SIR – I voted for “No deal is better than a bad deal”, which has now changed to “Any deal is better than no deal” – so we might just as well have accepted what David Cameron was offered before the referendum and saved the “divorce” bill.

We can now see why Mr Hammond did not take part in the electioneering, as the plan was for the Treasury’s “puppet” to take over after the election and impose its views on the electorate regardless of democracy.

Philip Trow Stafford

SIR – While there may be a number of areas in which businesses and individuals require extra time to adapt after Brexit, the need to reduce immigration was a major issue even before the Brexit vote. People have had plenty of warning and need to start putting alternative arrangements in place by our date of leaving. Contrary to what Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, suggests, completely free movement – with or without visas – should not be allowed after 2019.

Jane Drew Bristol

SIR – Liam Fox says that Brexit supporters voted for restricted access to Britain for EU citizens, but the fact is that no one knows what made people vote the way they did.

Bearing in mind that the Government, the Conservative Party and the Labour Party are split between leaving and remaining in the EU, and that both the Houses of Commons and Lords will have to vote on the final Brexit agreement, surely it is time for a second referendum to find out if people in Britain still want to leave the EU now that all the issues are becoming plain.

Tony Blackman London SW11