Brexit bias

John Edgar (Letters, 6 September) is right to suggest that the UK Government is out of its depth. However, his hope that Theresa May will find a way forward seems, sadly, to be too optimistic.

The Tories are saddled with a membership which is Neoliberal and keen on Brexit. Egged on by the Tory press it can only become more hot headed as time goes on. What chance is there that the government will suggest any kind of divorce settlement? Nil. What chance is there that a fair deal for immigrants will now be suggested? In light of

the leaks regarding plans to remove entitlement of families of immigrant workers coming to this country, the answer is nil.

I am reminded of psychology and brain science experiments showing how our brains draw us into “confirmation bias”, and a sense of entitlement. When confirmation bias has been well inculcated by a propagandist press, then facts which don’t confirm the bias will be reinterpreted.

So when Brexiteers told us it would be easy to get Europe to comply with British demands for a good deal, one would think that the obvious impasse of the last weeks would make the less fanatical Tory supporters say: “Wait a minute, we were lied to.” Instead of that they use words such as “betrayal” and “treachery”, as if there was no excuse for the behaviour of European negotiators. Shouldn’t Europe just give up its precious union based on the four freedoms, and surrender quietly? Shouldn’t we just break all the rules of trade and slap import duties on their goods? Won’t our industries easily cope with cliff edges, while theirs will scream for resumption of negotiations? Who needs realism, when fantasy and dictatorial thinking is so enjoyable?

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh