The precise customs provisions we want so that trade remains smooth
sir – I was interested to read Victoria Hewson’s article on United Kingdom customs procedures after Brexit (Business, February 19). Although at first this may seem like a rather arcane topic, it is essential for Britain’s prosperity that we get it right.
What UK business needs is a combination of trusted-trader status, self-assessment of the duty chargeable and simplified procedures at the border. That should allow a smoother transit of imported goods into the UK.
However, it is critical that we don’t forget exporters who want to see a similar smooth transit of goods from the UK to the EU marketplace. In order to achieve this we need to agree mutual recognition of procedures with our European trading partners. Matt Ellis
Managing Partner, Tax & Legal, Deloitte
London EC4
sir – When China (with which the EU has no free trade agreement) sells electrical goods to the UK, EU, United States, or anywhere else in the world, it provides an appropriate plug and ensures that the appliance meets that country’s safety specifications.
It does not agree that the EU, or any other country, can impose regulatory compliance over all its exports, or indeed its domestic consumption.
It seems that the EU’S megalomania knows no bounds, and it needs bringing up short; if only we had a government with the backbone to do so. Rodney Howlett
Darley Dale, Derbyshire
sir – Jacob Rees-mogg (Commentary, February 22) says that what he calls Brino (Brexit in name only) would be a “perversion of democracy”.
As he should know perfectly well, people voted Leave for a multiplicity of motives, one of which, advocated by several prominent Leave supporters, was Brino, sometimes referred to as the Norwegian or Swiss option, and which others would simply call the least damaging form of Brexit.
The “perversion of democracy” is the hijacking of the referendum result by those determined to put their own interpretation on the motives of every one of 17.4 million people. Alan Pavelin
Chislehurst, Kent
sir – It is obvious that the transition period will not be deemed sufficient to allow the UK to leave EU jurisdiction, customs and immigration rules.
The insistence that we take on all EU legislation, without any representation, could ensure a smooth transition back into the EU when our lords and masters feel they can get away with it.
This contempt for the Brexit vote is in keeping with the EU’S contempt for democracy, viewed as an inconvenience which may be given lip service but is in fact treated as an irrelevance. The populace is merely a source of funds.
Elections are pointless and costly exercises. I shall no longer be voting. Philip Honey
Lound, Nottinghamshire