While the European Union is imperfect, it is a remarkable human achievement

The EU negotiators should be congratulated for their patience and forbearance in the face of the belligerence, mockery and downright rudeness emanating from senior UK politicians as Brexit looms towards us like the iceberg which sank the Titanic.

It’s not what we see above the waterline which does the damage, it’s the danger lurking in the depths. In this case, the eternal undercurrent of Irish sensitivities which keeps Theresa May et al spinning around, with no escape in sight.

Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, rightly took Jeremy Hunt to task for comparing the EU with the Soviet Union during his party conference speech on Monday.

Verhofstadt pointed out that he represented a college of commissioners of whom more than a third of its members have known dictatorship and oppression emanating from the Soviet Union.

Then up pops Boris Johnson, all grown-up, adopting the role of a strong and stable leader for the duration of his 30-minute speech. This is the man who, as Foreign Secretary, infuriated his colleagues with his numerous gaffes when on official business overseas. His racial slurs long predated his appointment to that office, which makes one question Mrs May’s judgment.

Arrogance blinds people to their own imperfections, and fuels the ambitions of ruthless individuals. Since the future of our country is at stake, surely it’s time to think again about our decision to walk away from a Union which may not be perfect, but which has been a remarkable achievement given the human propensity for division and conflict. CAROLYN TAYLOR Gagiebank, Wellbank, Broughty Ferry, Dundee I agree with William Ballantine on his dismissal of “the Boris interpretation of the EU referendum” (Letters, 4 October).

However, I do not do so in relation to his opinion that “Brexit there must be”.

I continue to ask those Leave voters who have still not seen the light if, given the revelation of the consequences of even a “soft Brexit”, this is really what they voted for?

Now that “Project Reality” (your editorial, 29 September) has revealed the facts, do they not want to be given the opportunity to pass judgement on what, for instance, Theresa May has come up with? Chequers remains surrounded by too many unanswered, and probably unanswerable, questions.

A second referendum is the only solution.

JOHN MILNE Ardgowan Drive,

Uddingston