Buying the DUP

SIR – There will be a lot of criticism (much of it justified) of the Prime Minister’s deal with the Democratic Unionist Party. However, consider the alternative – a coalition led by Jeremy Corbyn, bartering away with the SNP and his old comrades in Sinn Féin.

The alternatives to the current deal should be made clear – break-up of the United Kingdom, a bodge of Brexit and a vast increase in the debt to be shouldered by future generations. The current deal looks cheap and comforting by comparison. Phil Coutie Exeter

SIR – Today we’ve seen the bribery – how long before the corruption? Phil Wall Cassagne, Haute-garonne, France

SIR – Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, reportedly warned the Government not to take for granted her party’s support in the UK Parliament.

Does it occur to her that she and her cohorts may not take for granted the support of the British Government, or indeed of the other member states of the United Kingdom, as political, economic and social policy evolves in the six counties?

After half a century or so of massive subsidy from English, Scottish and Welsh taxpayers, with little to show for it, some might consider that the time is due for the electorates of the Republic of Ireland and of Northern Ireland to decide in a referendum if full union is in their best interests. Keith M C Webster Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire

SIR – Given the strong and successful negotiating skills of the DUP, is it now time to put it in charge of the Brexit negotiations? Tim Banks Knutsford, Cheshire