MPS want to vote down the EU Bill on misunderstood technicalities
sir – It is a great shame that certain MPS are planning to vote against the Second Reading of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill – ostensibly on the grounds that it is unacceptable to have so-called Henry VIII powers in the Bill, giving ministers the authority to make law by secondary legislation, under statutory instrument without parliamentary scrutiny.
But the use of these powers will be limited to situations where an EU law makes reference to another EU law or to an EU institution. Clearly, such references need to be removed from UK law.
It should be entirely acceptable for ministers to have the power to make the necessary changes without taking up valuable parliamentary time. Nevertheless, the Government needs to explain this with greater frequency and clarity. Richard Symington
London SW17
sir – On June 23 last year Britain voted to leave the EU, clearly understanding that this meant leaving the single market and the customs union, and also meant the introduction of controls on immigration. (Though I am sure that seasonal fruit pickers from EU countries will still be welcome.)
Since then there have been ever more vociferous threats to thwart that process, with MPS playing fast and loose with the referendum decision.
With the new parliamentary session this week, the BBC has been quick to contribute to what is developing into a rerun of the referendum campaign.
My husband and I, and many of our friends, are heartily sick of listening to MPS whingeing about what has been decided by the people. So now we listen to news headlines, then switch off.
Ann Taylor
Lymington, Hampshire sir – I am disappointed and concerned that so many MPS put party politics ahead of the good of the country.
Brexit has been confirmed but the EU is behaving like a two-year-old with tantrums, refusing an adult discussion on our leaving.
I would like to think that MPS of all parties would work to get the best deal, outside the single market and customs union (remaining in which would put us in a much worse position than before), so that we can make our own trade deals, make our own laws, control immigration to our over-full country and make it prosper.
Phyllis Jones
Oakley, Bedfordshire
sir – I propose, after we leave the EU, say in 2020, a Great British International Exhibition, on the lines of the Great Exhibition of 1851 or the Festival of Britain of 1951. It would be a showcase for all in which we excel, from bespoke tailoring to music, from racehorse breeding to universities.
We’ve done this before and we’re good at it. We could use Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens under the shadow of Prince Albert’s memorial.
We could invite the family of Commonwealth countries to take part. What a great way to open up trade and to celebrate the closing years of the reign of our longest-serving monarch.
C G Flint
New Malden, Surrey
sir – You report that Genoa is overrun by wild boar, and recently that Paris is plagued by rats. Is something biblical about to happen to the EU?
Professor Alan Sked
London School of Economics London WC2