Sir John Major’s challenge would destroy the Tories and let in Corbyn
sir – Would someone please explain to Sir John Major that, if we do not swiftly leave the EU, the Conservative Party will be finished, as thousands of people will vote for the Brexit Party at the next general election, splitting the vote, and ushering in a Marxist government.
The people of this country voted to leave the EU in 2016. For the past three years the House of Commons has done its best not to implement that vote. Now we have a Prime Minister who is upholding the democratic will of the people. Brexit must happen, and needs to happen quickly. Does Sir John not understand this?
Honiton, Devon
sir – I can accept that some luvvies get so intoxicated by their own self-importance that they forget that, outside their field of expertise, their opinion is just as good or bad as anyone else’s. Who really cares what they think?
Sir John Major, however, is a different kettle of fish. Why does he think he knows better than the Government? I assume he will be tearing up his Conservative Party membership card forthwith.
Haslemere, Surrey
sir – I am astonished to read that Sir John has shown such hypocrisy in lending his support to those opposed to the prorogation of Parliament.
When he was Prime Minister, he used prorogation, apparently to prevent Parliament from receiving and debating the report on the “cash for questions” row.
London W8
sir – The last time that prorogation had a dramatic influence on the nation’s affairs was in April 1831. The Tories introduced a motion in the Lords to try to stop Parliament being dissolved by the Whigs after their great Reform Bill had been defeated in the Commons.
William IV declared that he was prepared to go down to Westminster by hackney cab if necessary for an immediate prorogation ceremony. Arriving in a hastily summoned carriage, he put the crown on his head in the royal robing room to the accompaniment of deafening noise. The Lord Chancellor explained: “It is only the Lords debating.”
Will there by similar discord this time?
London SW1
sir – It is a bit rich that a Belgian MEP, Guy Verhofstadt, should say that the prorogation of the British Parliament for a month is sinister – this from a man whose country had no parliament at all for 541 days and who is a member of a parliament which has its executive imposed in the most undemocratic manner.
Abthorpe, Northamptonshire
sir – The norm at Westminster, until 2010, was for the summer recess to last from late July until about October 15.
Labour introduced a change to insert a September sitting into the calendar. This happened in 2003 and 2004 and then the idea was dropped. It was only reintroduced by the coalition government in 2010.
So not only had it been perfectly normal for Parliament to be in recess throughout August, September and much of October, but it was equally the case that prime ministers changed the system when necessary, without public outcry, to ensure they could carry out their legislative programme.
Those that are genuinely concerned about getting a good and timely deal between the UK and the EU should be doing all they can to support the Prime Minister and ensure that Brussels understands this.
I know only too well that in the EU, nothing is possible and anything is possible – it just requires political will. Geoffrey Van Orden MEP
Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament Chelmsford, Essex
sir – For three years Remainer MPS who do not accept the referendum result have tried every trick in the book to reverse it. Now that they are getting a taste of their own medicine, they whinge about a “constitutional outrage”.
In fact, the only reason we are due to leave the EU, with or without a deal, on October 31 is that MPS voted by more than three to one in 2017 to trigger Article 50 unconditionally, so they have only themselves to blame.
Parliament has debated Brexit to death and nothing that is said in the debates alters even a single MP’S vote. Remainers are upset by prorogation because it limits their time to implement cynical schemes for further delay and obstruction. This is the overdue ending of a parliamentary session and we should welcome it wholeheartedly.
Dr Julian Lewis MP (Con)
London SW1
sir – Sir Oliver Letwin has announced that it is not too late to stop a no-deal Brexit and that plans to do so are being made. He also claims that, whatever happens, there will have to be an extension of Article 50.
Sir Oliver has a long, distinguished record of service to the country and to his party. It is so sad to see his utter contempt for democracy. Future historians could well write that Lloyd George the Liberal and Letwin the Conservative were instrumental in the ruin of their parties, neither of which has ever ruled since.
Hertford
sir – I have listened carefully to the likes of Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Oliver Letwin, who say they will block our EU exit unless we sign a withdrawal agreement.
These Remainers are actually saying we can only leave the EU if the EU permits it. I wasn’t told that when I voted.
Bramhope, West Yorkshire
sir – I have just received an email from my MP, Richard Harrington, saying he will stand down at the next election.
He makes no mention of the Brexit referendum, in which the majority of his constituents voted Leave. As a Remainer, he has spent the past three years following his own agenda and I have no doubt he will enjoy the rest of his time in Parliament trashing the Government’s plans for Brexit.
He has been a good local MP but I am disappointed that my votes for him and for Brexit are totally worthless.
Watford, Hertfordshire
sir – The arch-remainer Jolyon Maugham QC has said a general strike could prevent a no-deal Brexit. Who does he see taking part in this strike – university lecturers, Guardian journalists, fellow QCS?
The problem for him is that most real workers voted Leave. The cosy London elite has never understood this. Ordinary people have had enough of the EU and endless attempts to undermine democracy by Remainers.
London SE27
sir – Jeremy Corbyn’s call for civil disobedience (report, August 30) is a classic Marxist tactic.
If Mr Corbyn and the far-left ever gain power by these means it is unlikely they would ever give it up. They would argue that the people had spoken while completely ignoring the 17.4 million who voted to leave the EU in a free and democratic vote.
Haslemere, Surrey
sir – Jeremy Corbyn backs calls to “shut down the streets”. He should come to Dartford. The M25 Dartford Crossing manages to do that at least five times a week. M H Stubbs
Dartford, Kent
sir – Where are Boris Johnson’s water cannon when we need them?
Caterham, Surrey