Tories wilderness prospects for a generation

sir – Each time the Tories fall out over free trade – which is essentially what Brexit is about – the party is deprived of power for a generation.

In 1846, after the repeal of the Corn Laws, the Tories lost office for nearly 30 years.

After winning in 1900, they lost every election for 22 years, due to splits over Tariff Reform. With internal divisions after 1992, it took a further 23 years to win an overall majority.

I am as passionate about politics as any Conservative MP, but I wouldn’t dream of calling colleagues, many of whom hate the idea of Brexit, traitors. Abuse of colleagues, threats of deselection, questioning others’ motives and infantile name-calling may be rife in Labour but have no place in the modern Tory party. Philip Duly

Haslemere, Surrey sir – I nearly choked on my croissant yesterday when I heard that Theresa May’s European counterparts had applauded her at a dinner. As a Brexiteer this makes me very uneasy. Dominic Owen

Little Missenden, Buckinghamshire

sir – May I suggest that the EU demand the monarchy be abolished and the Crown Jewels transferred to Brussels? Mrs May seems to have given in to every other demand. Andrew Barr

Chiswell Green, Hertfordshire

sir – In resolution of the Irish border problem, might the division of Cyprus be mentioned?

Brussels accommodates the Cyprus border nonsense in silence. Bernard Kerrison

Boca Grande, Florida, United States