Here’s why Brexit is such a big deal

It is really important that we make a sensible trade deal with the EU. If we are forced on to World Trade Organisation rules, its tariffs and red tape will cause inflation and massive problems for manufacturing supply chains, and for business and financial services who deal with the EU.

It would be far better to postpone our Article 50 leaving date rather than trying to negotiate a transitional agreement that EU negotiators have no mandate to discuss.

Until we’re ready to leave with the best deal we can get, this would allow our government and MEPs to continue to influence EU policy.

A transitional agreement would leave us as outsiders with no say over the rules.

Brett Grainger, Rugeley, Staffs

The UK Government agreed to the EU’s timetable for the Brexit talks in good faith. But it’s now becoming obvious that these talks are going nowhere. We should never have agreed to this timetable and should start preparations for leaving the EU without a deal. While it’s not the best option for the UK, or indeed for the EU countries themselves, Brussels’ main concern seems to be looking after the organisation itself. It seems that those in charge want to make withdrawal from the EU extremely painful and difficult in order to discourage other countries from leaving.

Brian Smith, Cambridge

As the pound sinks to near parity with the euro, and we plummet from near the top to the bottom of the G7 group of nations, surely when the Brexit negotiations are finally concluded, the British public should have a second referendum.

It would give us the chance to say whether or not we agree with the terms reached, or whether Britain would be better off remaining in the EU. I don’t think anyone voted Leave to be poorer.

Valerie Crews, Beckenham, Kent

I’d like to say well done to Theresa May for letting Michel Barnier and co know that we will not be dictated to. We need to reach agreement on leaving the EU and not be told the terms on which we can go.

If the EU cannot compromise, then we will have to have a no-deal Brexit.

H J Powers, Mansfield, Notts

In June 2016, the population of the UK was 65.64 million. Out of these, only 17 million people voted to leave the EU. That means 48 million people didn’t vote to leave the EU. Brexit doesn’t quite add up when you put it like that, does it?

Colin Gatrell Bonchurch Isle of Wight

I would really like someone to ask the Prime Minister if, after all the posturing and manoeuvring by the EU, she is finally ready to just walk away and give us the Brexit the British people voted for?

DA Clarke Hulme, Manchester