Mrs May’s big day

SIR – Some are born bold and some have boldness thrust upon them. And Theresa May?

We are about to find out on Friday. Alan Cumming

Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

SIR – Why is the EU border with Northern Ireland seen mainly as a UK problem? After all, it will be the EU’S problem to police any smuggling, particularly if VAT and taxes prove to be lower in the United Kingdom.

The EU has a number of borders with non-eu countries. A few practical and helpful ideas from the 27 might not go amiss. Peter Jamieson

Davistown, New South Wales, Australia

SIR – Given that trade across the Irish border only accounts for 8 per cent of UK trade, there is no reason why the UK should not implement a self-declaration customs system, with periodic inspections.

Should the EU insist on border posts on the Irish side, let it. It is unlikely that nationalists would blow up Irish border posts. If they did, that would be an Irish, not a British, problem. Richard Duncan

Guildford, Surrey

SIR – Is it a bad idea having Northern Ireland keeping to EU rules while the British mainland leaves the customs union and single market? Or is it a brilliant way of “having your cake and eating it”? Miriam Howitt

London SW15