Time for Brussels to reciprocate Britain’s goodwill in the Brexit talks
sir – The Brexit negotiations seem rather lopsided to me. There doesn’t appear to have been one concession from the EU, but we have fallen over ourselves to give what they ask.
I wonder if we might politely ask for a small favour in return: a full set of audited accounts from the EU before we pay a penny.
Mike Metcalfe
Glastonbury, Somerset
sir – A one-off Brexit bill of £50 billion (Letters, November 30) is just 2.5 per cent of our £2 trillion annual GDP.
Spread over a number of years, this is not too onerous a payment to reduce the chances of economic aftershock in the short term after we leave the EU.
We should insure against the worst outcome while planning for the best.
Peter Forrest
London N6
sir – The EU has a history of failing to honour deals, especially when these involve taking money from Britain based on a vague promise. The classic case was when Tony Blair, as prime minister, sacrificed a large chunk of our rebate on the promise of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, which never happened. Theresa May is making a similar mistake, surrendering more of our money in the hope of a trade deal.
Britain should let the EU whistle for its money and walk away without a deal. It will be better in the long run.
Derek Bennett
Walsall, Staffordshire
sir – Once we start discussing trade with the EU, we should also begin trade talks with other countries across the world. I see no logical reason why we should be allowed to talk to one country but not another.
Alan Watt
Mill Green, Essex
sir – A lot of compromises are being made in our negotiations, with the EU determined to impose its conditions.
One red line that must not be crossed, however, is our sovereignty. Once the leaving date has been reached, everyone in Britain must be subject to British law.
It might, however, be acceptable for EU citizens to have the right of appeal to EU courts, provided British citizens in Europe have reciprocal rights.
Dr Aldyth Scott
Crawley, West Sussex
sir – A satisfactory deal for Britain seems to be getting further away.
It appears we are going to spend a great amount of money and, in exchange, receive second-class trading and liaison arrangements.
Is it not time the Government explored what sort of deal could be reached with the EU if we remained? With Angela Merkel weakened, and a new French president, a more beneficial deal should be achievable.
If this deal better addressed the reservations we held that led to Brexit in the first place, it might present a preferred option for the future.
Peter Amey
Norwich