Our leaders must show strength in the face of the EU’S belligerence
sir – It’s reported (February 13) that Cabinet ministers will be giving “keynote” speeches on Brexit, while the Chancellor plans to add “charm” to the offensive.
Image and perception are vital elements in the ability to influence and win arguments – but we have a Prime Minister who appears incapable of presenting a strong, determined front against the EU onslaught, and a Secretary of State for Exiting the EU who brings an amiable casualness to the mix.
We need some Churchillian blood, toil, tears and sweat, and some Thatcherite handbagging: a show of resoluteness and strength in the face of the EU’S increasing aggression. Are we steadfast, or are we not?
Cameron Morice
Reading , Berkshire
sir – Why does anyone expect any concessions from the EU Commission?
Its prime function is to create a unified Europe – something I learnt years ago when writing about the pharmaceutical directives. It is not part of the commissioners’ job descriptions to agree to anything that does not further this end; in fact, doing so could be regarded as breach of their employment terms.
Our representatives in these talks either never knew this or don’t know how to deal with it. In any case, there is no point expecting anything to be given or even sold to us.
Patricia Brown
Weybridge, Surrey
sir – Patrick Seely (Letters, February 13) assumes that there will be “economic gaps” in Britain after Brexit.
This may be the case, but the gaps in the EU will be greater. This is why Michel Barnier and the other negotiators are behaving like children.
Paul Richardson
Brigg, Lincolnshire
sir – Mr Seely says that George Soros and the 48 per cent feel that Britain is making a mistake with Brexit. Surely democracy is founded on the principle that individuals should accept the majority view even if they don’t agree.
Personally I thought that the election of Theresa May as leader of the Conservatives was a mistake, but we have to let these things play out.
Mark Robbins
Bruton, Somerset
sir – There are repeated calls for the Government to outline its vision for “post-brexit Britain”, but its task is greater than is often suggested.
This country is divided between those for whom a sovereign nation state is sacrosanct and those for whom the loss of sovereignty is a price worth paying for greater international cooperation.
The Government must find a way to bridge this divide, whatever the result of current negotiations. Michel Barnier and David Davis are not going to help us decide what kind of country Britain should be.
S A Harvey
Ipswich, Suffolk