Theresa May’s Brexit record has confirmed her doubters’ worst fears

SIR – Theresa May boasts in her article (Comment, December 17) that she is “proving the doubters wrong”.

Her deal consisted of giving the EU pretty well everything it demanded. Anyone can make a deal on that basis. Reports of the discussions said that the EU negotiators were delighted with Britain’s financial offer. If the other side is delighted, you are paying too much.

Can anyone name a single concession made by the EU? Ken Worthy

Esher, Surrey

SIR – While there is much debate about our negotiation achievements with the EU, Mrs May’s point that she “stuck resolutely” to secure a reciprocal agreement for our citizens leaves me in some doubt that we are obtaining good and fair compromises.

Surely this is the very least we should expect, given that the EU’s citizens in Britain will remain subject to the European Court of Justice. I wonder if the Americans or the Australians would agree something similar for EU citizens. Richard Griffin Tarporley, Cheshire

SIR – It appears that the leaders of Europe do not understand the meaning of transition.

Mrs May has suggested a transition period of two years following our exit from the EU in March 2019. I have always understood that transition refers to a period of change from one state to another state.

However, the EU seems to think that it means a complete continuation of our membership. Mrs May must be clear that transition means transition. Alan Cox

Belper, Derbyshire

SIR – It has been reported that Tory peers are warning the Prime Minister that she will face defeats in the House of Lords if members are bullied into supporting an “extreme form of Brexit”. How typical of politicians that they should try to bully Mrs May into not being bullied by those with whom they disagree. D F P Cowell Lincoln

SIR – At the end of a fairly tumultuous year in politics, surely it would be appropriate for all of us – Brexiteers or Remainers, Corbynistas or Tory rebels – to reflect on how far we have come in what seemed to be the insurmountable task of steering our way through the first part of the Brexit negotiations.

Despite vicious criticism from her own MPs as well as the Opposition, Mrs May has continued to show resilience, good humour, decency and tenacity. There are very few politicians who would have had the strength of character to get back on their feet after the June election disaster and the conference speech debacle.

So, in this season of goodwill, let’s give her credit for all she has endured and achieved on our behalf. Hostilities can resume in the New Year. Brian Storey

Cambridge