No deal was not an option during the referendum

GEORGINA Gebski (Letters 21/8/19) states that “Nicky Morgan is now supporting the country’s majority vote”.

I have to point out that Nicky has consistently supported leaving the European Union (EU) since the result of the referendum was announced. What she was not prepared to do, at least until quite recently, was support us leaving without a deal that would protect the prosperity of this country and her constituents (which I suggest is in line with what most of those supporting Brexit claimed would be the case).

As she has now joined the Cabinet, I assume that, at least officially, she supports the Government line that we will leave without a deal unless the backstop can be removed and the withdrawal agreement renegotiated.

Our MP has also put much effort into trying to find solutions to the problem of the UK/Irish border, and this work appears to be central to Boris Johnson’s endeavour to provide an acceptable solution to the EU in the next 30 days or so. However, a technological fix to avoid barriers across 300 miles of lanes and cart tracks in Northern Ireland appears to be impossible. The current border exists but the divisions it causes are minimal. If the UK is to have trade and standards divergence, and, different tariffs plus immigration controls, checks are going to necessary. In the case of Ireland, it is the perception of this border that is the problem as much as its location.

Northern Ireland voted to remain in the 2016 referendum, and opinion polls indicate that the majority of the population support the backstop. The EU proposed the obvious solution of Northern Ireland remaining within the Customs Union and EU Market area while remaining politically within the UK, with the trade border with the EU being down the Irish Sea. This optimal solution was rejected by the Tory government (I don’t think it can any longer be described as conservative) because it is propped up by the DUP which aims to ensure that Ireland never reunites.

The backstop was the solution proposed by Mrs. May’s government, not the EU, which was reluctantly accepted by them. I note that Boris Johnson has now accepted that the onus is on the UK to come up with a practical solution.

I continue to believe that the best outcome would be for us to remain a member of the EU. If we are to leave on World Trade Organisation terms that this should be put to a confirmatory referendum. During the 2016 Referendum departure without a deal was not considered to be an option by almost all those advocating leave.

If we crash out, then I think the words of the Irish EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan “Never have so few done so much damage to so many” will be applicable to our Cabinet, including (if she remains in it) our Member of Parliament. John Catt A member of the European Movement (www.emleics.co.uk)