Bluffingon brexit

The generally accepted view is that Theresa May would prefer a reasonable, soft-ish Brexit settlement that would protect the UK economy but is prevented from doing so by hardliners who threaten her with the sack or another general election.

But I wonder if she need be so afraid. “Leave” voters wish to be rid of the European Union’s control and contempt for democracy, but they do not want to turn their backs on our European neighbours. A soft Brexit option would command the support of remainers and soft leavers, who together would form a large majority.

The hardliners in the Conservative government are an unattractive group. Mrs May could go to the country and ask voters to choose between a soft, sensible Brexit, rule by Boris, Rees-mogg, Duncansmith and Liam Fox, or economic suicide under Corbyn, Mcdonnell and Diane Abbott. I think she would win. GRAHAM M MCLEOD

Muirs, Kinross It seemed to me from my reading the text of Article 50 that there was nothing that prevented negotiations from beginning, or even concluding, before that deadly trigger was pulled.

The law said nothing about when the talks should take place and Mrs May should have delayed while her civil servants got some sort of preliminary agreement from EU officials.

We had a good hand to play at the start but if “50” was invoked without the sequencing of talks being established, the 27 EU member states would be able to dictate the rules of the game.

What Michel Barnier has done by refusing to discuss trade until the terms and costs of the divorce are agreed was entirely predictable and the Brexiteers were idiots not to realise it. (REV) DR JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews