Lack of preparation for a no-deal Brexit leaves Theresa May vulnerable

SIR – The Brexit Secretary, David Davis (“We’ve achieved so much already – Now we must fulfil our free-trade destiny”, Comment, June 23), gives us the optimism and belief in Britain that is sadly lacking from the Prime Minister and her civil servants.

We are not preparing properly for a no-deal scenario. Theresa May’s assertion that we could still walk away is as believable here in Brussels as was the then prime minister David Cameron’s negotiating tactic with the EU in 2016, when he stated that he might back Britain’s exit if he didn’t get a good deal.

Unfortunately, Mrs May never believed in Brexit and lacks the necessary zeal and drive, as do many of her civil servants. This has to change immediately if we are to deliver a real Brexit and a free and prosperous future for Britain. Jonathan Bullock MEP (Ukip) Brussels, Belgium

SIR – David Davis has revealed the muddled thinking behind the Government’s negotiating approach. He claims that preparations for “no deal” are well advanced, but that they haven’t been made public so as not to “scare the horses or to worry people”.

Surely that is precisely why they should be made public – to show the EU that we are serious about walking away should we continue to be treated with contempt. Ken Worthy

Esher, Surrey

SIR – It’s all very well for European businesses such as Airbus and BMW to harangue the Government for a decision on Brexit (report, June 23), but they should also urge the EU to engage in constructive negotiation.

“Clarity” has been asked of the Government – but its position has already been made clear, and the EU has said “no”. The EU should be asked to clarify why it persistently rejects UK proposals, and state what arrangement it would offer instead. David Fisher

Manchester SIR – Just a quarter of Britain’s total population voted to leave the EU, and two years on there are intractable practical difficulties, continuing uncertainty for businesses and no tangible plan for reducing immigration – which, for many, was the main reason they voted to leave.

To restore national unity, we could at least talk to our EU friends about the issues we would want to see reformed if we were to remain in the bloc. There may well now be an increased openness to change, which would allow a much better way forward for us, as collaborators in the development of a progressive and peaceful Europe. Mike Tyler

Worthing, West Sussex

SIR – It was interesting to watch last Saturday’s footage of 100,000 people marching in London for a second referendum – still far fewer than the 17.4million who voted to leave the EU.

Let’s just get on with this Brexit. Geoff Shaw

Theydon Bois, Essex