Michel Barnier falls into the very trap he set

SIR – Those who say Brexit will never work are falling into the trap that Michel Barnier, the EU’S negotiator on Brexit, appears to be deliberately setting.

He evidently thinks that stonewalling with harsh demands will persuade the British voters that leaving the EU is a process not worth the candle. He is helped in this by vociferous Remainers like Tony Blair, who doubtless tell him that Parliament would never accept the “no deal” option, and that the resulting political chaos will work in the EU’S favour.

But surely Mr Barnier is himself falling into a trap. He may think he will succeed but, unlike the rulers in Brussels, political power in Britain is in the hands of the people.

If he succeeds in thwarting Brexit, Parliament is likely be a very different place in 2022 once the voters feel they have been betrayed. A second referendum could then be a landslide to leave. Richard Cromwell

Milford-on-sea, Hampshire

SIR – The cat that we always knew was in the bag is finally out of it. Mr Barnier is going to “teach the British people a lesson” for wanting a democratically determined, logical negotiation, rather than kowtowing to his inflexible, unsubstantiated demands.

At what stage will he join the real world and stop behaving like a spoilt toddler prevented from having the chocolate cake before he has eaten his bread and butter? Peter Hall

Marden, Kent

SIR – When Mr Barnier comments that there has been no progress in the Brexit negotiations, he believes that he is reporting his success. Basil Dewing

Great Malvern, Worcestershire

SIR – I believe a statue to Charles de Gaulle should be erected in London in recognition of his valiant efforts to keep Britain out of the European Economic Community (Common Market) beginning in 1963 when he famously vetoed our application to join by saying “Non”.

He opposed Britain joining the EEC until his dying day in November 1970. Eric Clark

Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire