EU referendum is just a glorified opinion poll

SIR – The EU referendum is unlikely to change anything, even if we vote to leave.

In order to be effective, the referendum would need to commit the Government to a specific course of action (such as invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which is the only legal exit route) within a specified time frame. The coming referendum does not do that. It is not binding on the Government, and it has all the legal force of an opinion poll.

Even if, following a vote for Brexit, David Cameron were to invoke Article 50, there would then be a two-year moratorium while talks were held in Brussels to discuss the terms of our departure.

During this period we would still be bound by the treaties, yet we would be excluded from all discussions concerning our future.

These matters need to be addressed before June 23.

Hugo Miller

Horsham, West Sussex

SIR – The Leave campaign must stop proclaiming the economic benefits of leaving the EU, because trade deals will take years of negotiation.

Instead the campaign should focus on convincing the electorate that sovereignty has more value than business margins.

Jacob Wright

Thetford, Norfolk

SIR – When discussing the negatives of Britain’s EU membership, “red tape” and “burdensome labour laws” are often mentioned.

Does this refer to the right of employees to maternity or paternity leave? To rest breaks? To humane levels of holiday? To a nondiscriminatory and diverse workplace?

If so, this red tape really doesn’t seem to be such a drawback. It is worth noting that most voters in the June referendum will be employees rather than employers.

Alexander Milner-Smith

London SW19