Flagship to launch

SIR – Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, was taken to task by the Prime Minister for asserting that after Brexit, Britain must be unfettered in its trade with the world.

He believes that membership of the customs partnership, now under Cabinet consideration, would restrict that ability.

In effect Mr Johnson was only reflecting Theresa May’s mantra: “Brexit means Brexit.”

In this new environment many people think that the Commonwealth should be an important focus for expansion of trade. Its GDP growth out-performs the EU’S and has done for years.

Take India – a country with a new and massive middle class and a tempting market for our financial services, other invisibles and high-end consumer goods.

Perhaps Mr Johnson will endorse the new private-sector initiative aimed at building and operating a literal Flagship to promote trade, education and environmental awareness among Commonwealth countries.

This would be a statement of confidence in the future of British business and could give practical help to those in less fortunate corners of the Commonwealth, where education and profitable trade need to underlie their road to a better life. Ian Maiden

Chairman, The New Flagship Company Beaulieu, Hampshire