Britain must respond in kind to Barnier’s uncompromising stance
SIR – Although I voted to remain in the EU, I have had my eyes opened by the arrogant attitude of Michel Barnier – who, you report (June 2), now says he doesn’t want to negotiate with Britain.
Let us be equally uncompromising. We should declare that we are going to exit the EU immediately. No payment of £39billion. No membership of the single market or customs union. No fishing agreement. No servile acceptance of any EU laws or red tape.
Let us see the reaction of VW, BMW, Mercedes, Peugeot, Citroen, Bosch and Siemens. The British market is vital to these companies: they would react with horror. Mr Barnier and his accomplices might then be prepared to make concessions. If not, the EU would stand to lose more than we would. And it knows this. Robin Nonhebel
Swanage, Dorset
SIR – Is Mr Barnier aware that Article 50 says, “Any member state may decide to withdraw from the union in accordance with its own constitutional requirements”? It specifies that a leaver should notify the European Council of its intention, negotiate a deal on its withdrawal and establish legal grounds for a future relationship.
It is his duty to negotiate. David Glazier
London SW18
SIR – In the referendum we were given only two choices: leave or remain. We were not given the option of a compromise. The British Government, which has a heavy pro-eu bias, took the liberty of interpreting the majority Leave vote as a mandate to negotiate – and precious little good it has done.
The past two years would have been much better spent pursuing free trade deals rather than negotiating with a hegemon which, on its own admission, doesn’t want to negotiate. Christopher Gill
Bridgnorth, Shropshire
SIR – Mr Barnier says the problems of the Brexit negotiations have been created by the UK and “no one else”.
What nonsense. The EU has created institutions which a number of countries have tried to leave, and has failed to reform in response to this.
Mr Barnier would do well to consider what he can learn from the widespread rejection of the EU, and what changes would bring greater harmony. He could start by changing the way he behaves in the Brexit talks. Dr Stewart Anderson
Canterbury, Kent
SIR – Our Brexit team should learn from Donald Trump. He knows when he’s being shafted – unlike our lot.
We stand there seemingly powerless to prevent the EU wrecking our economy and stirring up conflict in Ireland, just to make us regret leaving. Stephen Hall
Perth, Australia
SIR – I suspect that, if Mr Trump were in charge of our negotiations, the EU would pay £40billion to get rid of us. David Gadbury
East Grinstead, West Sussex