Patriotism and the EU

SIR – Lord Mandelson claims he is a patriot because he is calling for a second EU referendum (report, July 31) – hoping, one assumes, that Britain will remain.

A patriot is a person who vigorously supports his or her country and is prepared to defend it against enemies. Is Lord Mandelson’s enemy therefore the British people? Simon Warde

Bognor Regis, West Sussex

SIR – I voted Leave as an enthusiastic believer that Britain would have a bold future were it to assert control of its money, laws and borders.

However, Project Fear failed to warn me that a future outside the EU would leave us at the mercy of incompetent British politicians and civil servants, whose handling of Brexit has been nothing less than a shambles.

Can we have another referendum? At least Michel Barnier, as the EU’S chief negotiator, gives the impression that he knows what he’s doing. Dr David Cottam

Montauriol, Lot-et-garonne, France