EU tree-shaking

SIR – If the EU threatens to “shake the tree” and force companies to relocate to Europe (report, November 9), we should feel free to negotiate trade deals ready to sign as soon as we leave.

It is time to stop playing by one set of rules for them and another for Britain, and play hardball.

D J B Shearer

Glasgow

SIR – Does the Government have no pride? Why does it let the EU bully us so contemptuously? Why does it keep backing down in the face of EU threats, and getting nothing in return?

Neither the Commission nor Germany is interested in a good trade deal with Britain. They have made it clear that Britain must be seen to suffer from Brexit. Their primary aim is to extract from Britain a large and entirely spurious exit fee, for which there is no legal justification.

The Commission needs the exit fee to preserve the EU budget, and Germany needs it because, if we don’t pay, it will have to pay a lot more. Majority voting makes it almost impossible to cut EU spending.

If Theresa May cannot stand up to the EU, she should make way for someone who can. Ken Worthy

Esher, Surrey

SIR – The timing, volume and range of scandals being exposed begin to look like an orchestrated campaign by the Remain camp to destabilise the Government and put a stop to Brexit.

What a shame that these people can’t accept the result of the referendum, but have to use the most offensive and divisive means of achieving their aim. Sue Gardner

Ashorne, Warwickshire

SIR – Surely it is a gross misinterpretation for anyone to describe the Brexit bus slogan as a government promise. As a Leaver, I read it as saying that if Britain left the EU, it would be able to spend the money it would no longer be sending to Brussels on its own priorities, which would, of course, include the NHS.

I voted to leave simply to regain our sovereignty and independence from the creeping federalism of the EU. Peter Senneck

Churchdown, Gloucestershire