Mrs May’s ‘frictionless trade’ leaves the UK dancing to the EU rulebook
SIR – Theresa May, the “Dancing Queen”, seems to have deluded a lot of people in her speech at Birmingham, referring to her Lancaster House speech. “Our proposal is for a freetrade deal that provides for frictionless trade in goods”, she said, and we will leave the Common Fisheries Policy, and gain control of our borders, laws, money and immigration.
In reality, the “proposal” of the Chequers White Paper means goods, agriculture, food and fisheries governed by a “common rule book” overseen by the EU Court of Justice. Colvin Williams
Beverley, East Yorkshire
sir – Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, has repeated the offer of a Canada-plus-plus-plus deal.
As Brexiteers appear to believe that this is our best route to a deal with the EU, why does Mrs May persist with her Chequers proposal, which has found little favour with anyone? John Drew
Budleigh Salterton, Devon SIR – I cannot be alone in finding Theresa May’s dancing utterly cringe-making. And the show of support for her at the Tory conference had a hollow ring, probably expressive of the “sympathy vote”. What kind of leader stays in power on such a basis as that? Fiona Wild
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
SIR – I found Mrs May’s dancing entrance excruciatingly embarrassing. Gordon Casely
Crathes, Kincardineshire
SIR – I think it is very telling that Mrs May chose to dance solo. Jane Moth
Snettisham, Norfolk
SIR – Mrs May’s closing speech at the Conservative party conference was the best I have heard her give.
Sadly, however, that is not a particularly high bar to clear. Cliff Pratt
London SE26 SIR – It is gratifying to hear, from no less a person than the Prime Minister, that austerity is now “over”.
This means, I presume, that from now on, schools and hospitals will be properly funded.
The Rev Andrew Mcluskey Staines-upon-thames, Surrey
SIR – Remember the promises Mrs May made about immigration and law and order when home secretary? Compare those promises with her legacy.
In a desperate attempt to hold on, she is at it again, proclaiming that good times are around the corner. Are we that gullible second time round? P A Feltham
Epsom, Surrey
SIR – I watched the speech by Geoffrey Cox to the Tory conference three times yesterday. It is one of the best and most rousing political speeches I have ever heard. It should be used unedited as a political broadcast. Stephen Barklem
Woking, Surrey