Confusing independence with the subject of trade

Neil Hamilton, politician and former Conservative MP Bill Beaumont broadcaster and former rugby player, Baron Willetts, member of the House of Lords, Martin Fry, singer Juliette Binoche, actress, Kerr Smith, actor, Oscar Isaac, actor, THERESA May, like most of the Remain establishment (civil service, politicians, BBC, continuity Remain, etc), inadvertently or otherwise, confuses independence and trade.

The UK voted Leave which, whatever else it means, must result in UK independence from the EU.

UK politicians have no mandate whatsoever to appease, capitulate, or compromise on our independence.

The referendum conditions, set up by Parliament, which included the binary options of Remain or Leave (only), do not allow it.

In contrast, a trade deal does involve compromise - we allow access to our market at reduced or free tariff levels and the EU reciprocates.

Indeed, that would be the basis of any trade deal with other nations.

But no sane nation gives away its independence for a vague promise of an extra couple of percent of GDP.

By stepping back and understanding that independence and trade are different issues, then using that as a yardstick, we can judge whether Mrs May’s Mansion House speech (March 2) complies with our referendum decision to Leave, or not. It doesn’t. It’s so obvious when the two issues are separated. We are being duped. Again. SO R J Bray (Examiner, March 7) thinks it condescending to support the holding of a second EU referendum.

If memory serves me correctly almost every member of the public interviewed in the run-up to the referendum stated they wanted more information before they would be happy to make such a momentous decision.

Despite the efforts of May, Davis, Fox et al to limit the information made available in the public domain (e.g. business sector analyses) I would tentatively suggest that most people are now somewhat more informed regarding the full implications of Brexit and would thus be more able to give an informed decision.

I see the old ‘so you want to repeat the referendum until you get the result you want’ chestnut is given another airing.

Personally, no - if an informed public are given a chance to think again on this then I am quite willing to respect the decision made.

David Davis’ statement will stand reiteration - ‘if a democracy cannot change it’s’ mind, it ceases to be a democracy.’