Talk of ‘punishment’ in the Brexit negotiations will not benefit anyone

SIR – Several eastern European countries, led by Slovakia, have implied that Britain will have to be punished in Brexit negotiations unless we allow unfettered rights for their citizens to work here.

The irony is that these countries are refusing to cooperate with the rest of the EU in resettling refugees. Slovakia is also to benefit from a major investment by Jaguar Land Rover, a British company, to build cars there.

Surely these countries should be looking to protect citizens who are already working in Britain – and who, each year, are able to send millions of pounds back home. They, and we, should be able to arrive at sensible solutions, without talk of punishment. Ted Shorter Tonbridge, Kent SIR – Christopher Booker (Review, September 18) is happy to accept only “some limit” imposed on EU migration as a trade-off for remaining in the single market. This sounds like the sort of compromise that those who voted to leave are worried about.

Remaining in the single market would mean that British companies all had to continue abiding by EU laws, even if they did not trade with other EU countries. China and America, which are not members of the single market, both enjoy access to it.

What is this fixation with staying in a single market with the EU – the most unsuccessful economic zone in the world? Roger Hopkins Eastbourne, East Sussex SIR – The apparent failure of the US-EU trade talks after years of argument, and the declared intention of other EU members to make life as difficult as possible for us in Brexit negotiations, suggest that there is no point wasting our time attempting to secure a deal.

We should repeal the European Communities Act, set out our stall as a forward-looking trading nation and get on with life. Mike Davison Holywell, Huntingdonshire SIR – It is only three months since the referendum, and already Tory divisions are resurfacing.

The hard-Brexit argument is supported by claims that “Britain voted to leave the EU”. In fact, only 52 per cent of those who voted made that choice. The Goverment’s current approach reflects the mix of demands which need to be satisfied if we are to advance as a one-nation, multicultural country outside the EU.

This extrication will take some working out, to maximise opportunities and minimise damage. It should be left to civil servants and private-sector consultants, who have the skills to deal with the details. Neil Conacher Coulsdon, Surrey SIR – If we just said we would cut loose on, say, December 31 2018, whether or not any specific arrangements had been made, what would happen? Does anyone know? Robin Graham Huntingdon