Leave by WTO rules
SIR – As the myriad hopefuls for Downing Street spread their wares before us, there is one attribute that a mere Tory voter might seek. That is IQ. Those squeaking that we must “take No Deal off the table” show only that they are stupid.
It takes two parties, not one, to conclude a settlement. In this imbroglio the other party is the EU Commission, headed by Michel Barnier. He has repeated until his jaw must ache that there will be no change to the so-called settlement brought home after months of capitulation by Theresa May.
A large majority of MPS (all parties, all persuasions) have made very plain that this was unacceptable – now or ever. So World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules alone are beckoning. Can the Tories please just get on with it? Brits are patient folk, but there are limits, which are now extremely close.
Frederick Forsyth
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
SIR – The next leader of the Conservatives should stand for election on a policy of not initiating further negotiations with the EU until after we have left on October 31.
If the EU should wish to negotiate it would be welcomed, with meetings taking place in London. Otherwise, the time between now and October 31 would be devoted to making full preparations for our departure on WTO terms.
Ian Statham
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
SIR – Allison Pearson (May 24) is right to say that three years have been wasted on Brexit but unfortunately incorrect in stating that we are back to where we were in June 2016.
Then, there was a dysfunctional Opposition, with MPS openly trying to oust their leader, and a wider House of Commons which, although stunned and unhappy about the referendum result, was wearily resigned to facilitating our departure from the EU. The tragedy of the 2017 election was not just the loss of majority for the Conservatives but that it re-energised the Labour Party and emboldened the Remainers in Theresa May’s own party, who understood her weakened position.
The misjudgement she showed both in calling the election and during the campaign created the poisoned chalice that awaits her successor.
Alison Handy
Penwood, Newbury
SIR – Any Tory leadership candidate who states with certainty that they will negotiate a “better deal” with the EU should be ruled firmly out of consideration for being a fantasist.
The discussions with the EU are and always have been a negotiation. If, as seems highly likely, the EU rules out a significantly different deal to that already agreed, the UK will be faced with the choice it already has – no deal or Mrs May’s deal.
This will not be altered by a new PM but it would be preferable to be led by a realist who admits this at the outset, rather than someone who seeks to deal with the world as they want it to be.
Graham Taylor
Tring, Hertfordshire
SIR – Those putting their names forward must realise that Cabinet ministers who supported Theresa May are tainted by her failure. The time for games, such as “I’m not going to serve under him” are long gone.
For the Conservatives to claw back some credibility, Brexit must take place, deal or no deal. If the party is to survive, the next leader must be decisive, visionary and single-minded. Petty little squabbles are for the playground, not Westminster.
Charles Penfold
Ulverston, Cumbria