Brexit strategies
We long ago accepted the notion that devolution was ‘a process not an event’ and we need to adopt the same longterm view as we begin Brexit negotiations
It will take at least a decade for us to separate ourselves legally, economically and mentally from the EU and so whatever settlement we reach will inherently be transitional.
In those circumstances joining the European Economic Area (the Norway option) is the most practicable option to provide stability while Brexit gets fully established.
Yes, I accept that the EEA option has disadvantages but that is true of every option. EEA would provide continued membership of the single market combined with the freedom to negotiate trade deals with non EU countries.
Both parts of Ireland would probably accept a Swedennorway style border and the single market would satisfy the SNP.
Above all EEA already exists, so no time would be wasted reinventing the wheel, which is what Brexit negotiations are likely to end up doing
NEIL ADDISON Duke Street, Liverpool
Theresa May sought a clear mandate to proceed with a hard Brexit but her reckless election gamble has left her struggling to command a majority for any version of departure.
Devoid of an innate ability to handle an unruly House of Commons it is clear she must have a formal coalition on the subject of the EU with the other parties and nations of the UK.
Her best hope is that France and germany will broker a deal involving a reformed system of free movement of the sort Mrs Merkel mistakenly refused to offer David Cameron.
Macron and Merkel will hopefully grasp this unexpected opportunity to keep the UK within the single market and the customs union and guide the EU out of this fatuous debacle.
(REV DR) JOHN CAMERON
Howard Place, St Andrews
Now that we all have a better understanding of what Brexit means, not the lies projected by Boris Johnson and his associates, perhaps there is now a case for a full review.
We are told that the result, as marginal as it was, would produce the same answer. But in the same issue of your paper, (June 16) publishing letters with such Johnson-like phrases as ”If there’s a cost so be it”, there is a report quoting a Pew research poll indicating that 54 per cent of UK citizens now have a more favourable (10 per cent increase) view of the EU than they did a year ago!
Come on Philp Hammond, stand up and be counted. MICHAEL DENCHFIELD
Keith , Moray