Brexit has exposed the gulf between MPS and the voters they represent
SIR – On November 28 we wrote to all seven Northamptonshire MPS (Michael Ellis, Andrew Lewer, Tom Pursglove, Chris Heaton-harris, Philip Hollobone, Andrea Leadsom and Peter Bone) to protest in the strongest terms about the Withdrawal Agreement.
Not a single one of these MPS, all Conservative, bothered to reply. It is obvious that our parliamentarians, from the Speaker downwards, have forgotten that their role is to represent the voters who pay their salaries. John Allen
Chairman, Northampton Brexit Northampton
SIR – If this is democracy, bring back the divine right of kings. G W Doggrell
Bordon, Hampshire
SIR – While attention is focused on the economic consequences of Brexit, by far the biggest risk to the economy and living standards is the increased probability of a Corbyn-led, Left-wing government. In many cases, voting for Brexit was a protest vote by those who feel left behind. Any job losses, such as those announced in the car industry, will be blamed on Brexit, fairly or not.
Voters will blame the Conservatives. The Labour Party will be ideally placed to launch a populist agenda addressing the grievances. The economy could enter a doom loop similar to the Seventies, when wealth and investment were driven abroad, productivity fell, and the ability of the economy to generate the wealth necessary to meet public expectations was reduced, resulting in tax increases.
Is this what Brexiteers want? Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy
London SW1
SIR – A general election to resolve the divisions in Parliament can only provide a solution if both the Conservative and Labour parties split.
The Conservatives, as they stand, are divided into three camps: those wishing to stay in the European Union, those who would leave in name only, and those who wish for Britain to be truly independent. The same situation exists in the Labour Party. Leon Baker
Grantown-on-spey, Morayshire
SIR – I take exception to the suggestion from Stephen Wallis (Letters, January 15) that those who voted Leave are scared of a second referendum. I’m not, but he’s missing the point.
We have already had one, and Leave won. To have another would undermine democracy and damage voters’ trust in politics – although, unlike him, I would think Leave would win by a bigger margin next time. Philip Griffiths
Oxton, Wirral
SIR – In the midst of the interminable Brexit debate, one person has emerged as a star – Rob Watson, the BBC commentator.
His calm, interesting, sometimes ironic comments are such a joy and bring much-needed relief each day. Jean Ponter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada