Britain shouldn’t assume that Barnier’s line on Brexit will soften

SIR – You report (August 29) on Britain’s “fury” at the “unhelpful” Michel Barnier, the EU’S chief negotiator.

His behaviour in the Brexit talks should come as no surprise, given that he is straitjacketed by the European Union mandate. He has no flexibility, and there is unlikely to be any discussion with a view to agreement.

David Cameron achieved very little in his dealings with the EU because of its resistance to change. We should recognise that a major breakdown in negotiations is likely – and plan accordingly.

Richard Hayes

Banstead, Surrey

SIR – The Confederation of German Industry has expressed frustration at Britain’s “lack of clarity” about Brexit. Understandably German exporters want to know as much as they can as soon as possible.

But surely their rebuke is misplaced, and they should take up the matter with the EU Commission, which is negotiating on behalf of members including Germany. This raises the question: is the EU negotiating entirely for the benefit of members (who really want to see a pragmatic solution) or has the commission set out on its own mission to prevaricate, in the hope that Brexit will be a failure? I strongly suspect it is the latter.

C J Cross

Boxted, Suffolk

SIR – Why are the negotiations taking place in Brussels, not London?

D P Edginton

Sevenoaks, Kent

SIR – In any negotiation, it is the whole package that must be considered. By insisting on discussing the Brexit terms piece by piece, the EU is simply being obstructive.

Everyone has known since June last year that we are leaving the single market and the customs union, because that is what leaving the EU entails. The two years provided by the Lisbon Treaty are long enough: there is no need to prolong our entanglement with a transition period.

Stephen Garner

Colchester, Essex

SIR – If Mr Barnier believes that Britain should pay a bill for leaving the EU, it is up to him to present such a bill – clearly itemised, with each item separately quantified and justified.

This then becomes the basis for negotiation. Our team should be making this point much more forcefully.

Tony Marshall

Horsham, West Sussex

SIR – I voted to leave the EU because I believe the best form of government to be traditional parliamentary democracy, with an independent judiciary. It is a model aspired to by democrats throughout the world.

Why then are our MPS so reluctant to pursue this? Are they afraid of the responsibility?

Sheila Ellison

Thatcham, Berkshire