Different laws for every nation in the kingdom

sir – Much has been said and written in recent days about the need for regulatory alignment to apply to the whole country in order to preserve the Union of the United Kingdom.

This is hard to reconcile with the divergence of laws at every level between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that has always existed, whether in legal systems, special statutory arrangements, regulatory application or even in separate legislatures. Different taxes and duties also apply, as Scotland is given more control over its taxes.

In none of this divergence has the Union of the United Kingdom been compromised, and there is no reason why differences in the degree of regulatory alignment with the single market or the customs union of the EU should do so either. Richard Manchester

Sanderstead, Surrey

sir – Juliet Samuel is spot on in saying that the Brexit agreement means different things to both sides and will lead to an almighty row (Comment, December 11).

It reminds me of the good old days when, following an industrial dispute, both management and unions would emerge from lengthy negotiations and declare victory. The next strike would invariably follow a few weeks later. Derek Wellman

Lincoln