Standuptoeu

Politicians’ clear-cut priorities are as follows: first and foremost, their own careers; second, their party, and last by a long chalk, their country and its inhabitants.

That is why we now see “hardline” Brexiteers losing their bottle by softening their opposition to Theresa May’s appalling deal and moving behind it because to do so will safeguard their careers.

This situation has arisen through the Prime Minister’s submissive approach from the outset to Messrs Juncker, Barnier and Tusk, who could not believe their luck when they realised that Mrs May was a weak, soft touch.

Their glee was palpable because they had been terrified that the EU, their gravy train, would implode if the UK simply left with a deal advantageous to the UK, or, had they refused to accept such a deal, Mrs May had simply told them we would leave without a deal.

Unfortunately Mrs May did not realise the strength of her position and simply accepted that the EU were fully entitled to dictate the terms.

Even now, if Mrs May confronted them with a convincing assertion that unless they agree to better terms for the UK we will leave the EU with a no deal brexit on 29 March that would scare the living daylights out of them and focus their minds on rapid renegotiation.

DAVID HOLLINGDALE Easter Park Drive, Edinburgh

I wonder how future historians will deal with our era? We face a potential second referendum on an issue which we have already voted on in a referendum, the results of which were definitive.

Clearly they were not definitive enough, as those clever politicians who know so much better than us want to offer us a choice between staying in the EU or staying in the EU with no say, if I understand Sir Keith Starmer’s position correctly. How about leaving the EU, which is what we voted for?

Of course, the whole aim has been to frustrate our decision. Like so many things in the EU, you can have a choice any time you like as long as you end up with the right decision. If you don’t make the right decision, it will be taken out of your hands, so don’t worry your little head.

I hope that all those who cheer the current shenanigans will realise that this is the thin end of the wedge. When a democratic decision can be overturned by the very people who are elected to do what the British people voted for, do not expect that anything for which you vote but which the powers that be do not like will ever happen.

Democracy is dying before our eyes and no one seems to think it matters.

ANDREW H N GRAY Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh