The Prime Minister is letting Philip Hammond betray the Brexit vote

SIR – Philip Hammond’s speech in Davos, saying that there would only be “very modest” changes to relations between the EU and the United Kingdom after Brexit, was further evidence of a front-bench lobby betraying the result of the Brexit referendum. Whitehall and the elite have chosen to ignore the vote.

To state constantly that we are leaving the EU while staying for years in the single market and under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, with continuing free movement, is a cowardly farce. The fact that Mr Hammond and Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, remain in their jobs indicates that the Prime Minister supports this position.

We voted to leave the EU knowing what we were voting for. Leaving the EU meant sovereignty of law in the UK and freedom to explore trade deals throughout the world, with the ability to adopt a sensible immigration policy like those of Australia and Canada. It also meant not contributing money to this failing entity.

The referendum has been ignored and we watch the Prime Minister, given the opportunity of a lifetime, squander it. We need a Conservative leader who has vision, charisma and belief in the UK and respects the referendum.

Marcus Kitson

Newcastle upon Tyne

SIR – A few days ago, Philip Hammond felt it necessary to remind Boris Johnson that he was the Foreign Secretary and it was Mr Hammond who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Perhaps David Davis should remind Mr Hammond that he is the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and Mr Hammond is the Chancellor.

Peter Hill

Teddington, Middlesex

SIR – Transition is a change from one state to another. As the Government has no position on an end state, how can there be a transition period?

Adam Westlake

Farnham, Surrey

SIR – You refer (Leading article, January 25) to countries attacking America in advance of President Trump’s visit to Davos, and you quote Wilbur Ross, the US Commerce Secretary, commenting that they were “masking their own self-interest in protectionism”.

The prime example must be in the speech by Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor. “Protectionism is not the answer,” she said. What hypocrisy! What is the EU Customs Union and the Common Agricultural Policy but a classic example of protecting businesses and agriculture from global competition and maintaining high prices for consumers?

Mr Ross gave a typically robust response: “America has been taken for a ride for a very long time,” he said. “Free trade must be genuine and fair.” He quoted the example of the 10 per cent EU tariff on car imports, compared with the US tariff of 2.5 per cent.

Paul Knocker

Bembridge, Isle of Wight