Irish premier’s Brexit idea is so good that Ireland should take it up too
SIR – The suggestion by Leo Varadkar, the Irish Taoiseach, that the United Kingdom should consider becoming a member of the European Free Trade Association or Efta (report, August 5) is good. No solution will please everyone and compromises must be made.
Membership of Efta would offer many of the advantages we are seeking from Brexit and avoid a “cliff-edge” on departure from the EU. It would help to heal the nation’s divisions.
Such a sensible, workable plan is laid out in Daniel Hannan’s excellent What Next: How to get the best from Brexit. MPS and peers of all parties who truly have the national interest at heart, as well as those trying to frustrate or overturn Brexit, would benefit by using the summer recess to read and inwardly digest this book.
Meanwhile, instead of encouraging the disaffected Nicola Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones in their idea of staying in the single market and customs union, which is tantamount to staying in the EU, which 17.4 million of the British people voted to leave, Mr Varadkar might more usefully spend his time reflecting on the benefit to the Irish Republic of doing the same and joining Efta.
After all, the bulk of Ireland’s trade is with the UK, which may well strike a free trade deal with the United States, with which Ireland has far more ties than with continental Europe. Does Ireland really want to be an EU outpost marooned in the middle? Maureen Waller
Little Barningham, Norfolk
SIR – Members of the Government now seem to be agreed that we need a “transition period” after we leave the EU because we cannot sort out the details in the time available under Article 50 and we want to avoid a so-called “cliff edge”.
Their plan now seems to be that no great changes in our relationship will occur until after we have left, and then changes will be made as and when they are required, with no time limit as required by Article 50.
If instead of invoking that Article we had simply revoked the Acts of Parliament that took us in, we would have been in the same position three years earlier. This unnecessary delay will cost us about another £25 billion in contributions and allow an extra unknown number of EU nationals into our crowded island.
This was predictable and was indeed predicted. The Government owes us all an explanation for its delay. Brian Meadley
Axminster, Devon
SIR – I wonder if there is any chance of one more EU diktat before we leave.
Driving around Europe this summer, I thought a common rule would be useful for allowing another road user into the road. In Britain a quick headlight flash indicates to another driver that they may pull out. In many, but not all, continental EU states it means: “Don’t even think about pulling out.”
Perhaps one rule could be agreed? Michael West
Bishopstoke, Hampshire