No hard Brexit

Brian Monteith tells us: “This is a hard Corbyn willing to deliver a hard Brexit” and “this metamorphism means the UK is leaving Europe – and it will be Corbyn who will help the Tories do it” (Perspective, 3 July).

I don’t think so! The Labour Party and the chancellor are calling for a Brexit that does not damage British jobs. Hard Brexit is leaving with no deal – the unions and the CBI think that that course would be extreme folly.

Sir Keir Starmer in his speech on Brexit said Labour wanted to keep an EEA (Norway) option on the table.

Even Brexiteers are voicing concern about Theresa May’s hardline stance on demanding control of immigration – Jeremy Corbyn has not taken such a line on immigration. James Chapman, the Brexit secretary’s former chief of staff, claimed that Brexit negotiations are being hamstrung by absolutist positions- eg on immigration.

The “cake and eat” it fantasies of the referendum – when Brexiteers promised us it would be a cake-walk negotiating with Europe and we would see immigration come down to 40,000 – is now under pressure from all sides of the House of Commons. It has to be that way.

If we don’t talk sense to fantasists they will seriously consider a brinksmanship approach which could lead to no deal, high tariffs and no passporting for financial services. Labour does not want this country to become an even poorer place to live in – so read that as code language for “No Hard Brexit”.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh

Andrew Vass chides my “propaganda” favouring leaving the EU but substitutes his own, with descriptions and forecasts of dire economic consequences, as were used, ineffectively, before the referendum a year ago.

In reality, any political position on a contentious issue comprises both “good” and “bad” potential outcomes, and I suggest that “good” effects in the context of the EU referendum’s outcome include 1) acceptance of the UK voters’ democratic choice; 2) a regained opportunity to control our laws, borders and money; and 3) reduced annual financial costs to us of politicians, administrators and officials in the many EU supranational institutions, each furnished also with a pricey “gravy train”.

One can speculate, as Mr Vass does, about the political and financial consequences of “leaving,” but there is no doubt that intra-european trade can continue merrily and that, along with increased travel, very strongly mitigates any risks of recurring, dreadful European military conflicts based on perverted nationalism.

Mr Vass makes some pessimistic points about our national abilities and willingness to compete in industry and business, but we must and will learn to do better, if well led by government, if history is any guide.

“Never force the British into a corner,” as a sage international statesman once advised! (DR) CHARLES WARDROP Viewlands Road West, Perth

Joyce Mcmillan seems to have had a major bout of selective amnesia in her attack on Theresa May and the Dunkirk spirit (Scotsman, 23 June). Brexit exists because a majority of UK voters want it to exist.

Then there was the “unnecessary” election. Funny we no longer hear about Mrs May lacking a mandate in the Brexit talks because she was never elected Prime Minister. Well, she has been now, having gained more votes and seats than Labour, Pyrrhic victory though that was.

The Tory Party is apparently also in thrall to a “neoliberal ideology”. In fact, in her social care policy Mrs May took a courageous step away from the notion that the market settles all. Perhaps, however, Joyce Mcmillan wants younger people to continue to subsidise the elderly.

Then we come to the piece de resistance, in which Ms Mcmillan declares of the 2014 independence referendum that it was possible to connect an independent Scotland with a “prosperous, just and susices tainable future”. Mercifully, wiser counsels prevailed.

No mention in her article about SNP austerity. Yet, with Barnett adding 18 per cent extra per capita spending in Scotland compared to England, independence would have seen further cuts to services or taxation on a Corbynista scale, or both.

DONALD THOMSON Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen