Is this really what people voted for?

AS the UK is about to abdicate its leadership role in Europe, deprive its citizens of their EU citizenship and cause economic chaos as it tries to adjust to life outside of the single market, the EU has signed a free-trade deal with Japan, creating the world’s largest free market of more than 600 million people and covering nearly a third of the world’s GDP.

As Trump declares a trade war, Mr Juncker said: “Trade is about more than tariffs and barriers, it is about values, principles and finding win-win solutions for all those concerned.”

As readers know, I have argued the case for staying in the EU and for the people to decide on the final outcome. Alas, that looks less likely.

I have no doubt that staying in is the best deal of all for people’s economic wellbeing and security. Any other deal will condemn the UK to a subordinate role in relation to the EU and the US.

To rely on the “illusion” of the so-called special relationship with the US is to live in a fool’s paradise. Obama put us at the back of the queue and Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on our steel products.

Make no mistake, Brexit means empowering Germany and France to shape and dominate Europe’s future and condemning the UK to a minor role on the world stage. Is that what people voted for? Bryan D Prescott Caerphilly