Anxious times for millions of EU expatriates at the mercy of Brexit negotiations

Am I alone in being absolutely appalled by the decision of the British Government as expressed in “the letter” to include the residential rights of UK citizens living elsewhere in the European Union and those of the citizens of the remaining member states living in the UK, as a subject for negotiation in the forthcoming Brexit discussions?

In the comparative absence of outraged criticism in the press nor in letters of indignation from the army of regular correspondents, I must assume that I have a minority view and that the moral high ground is being vacated.

Nevertheless, it would be difficult not to feel concerned about the fate of millions of expatriates throughout the present European Union whose future, regardless of their present domicile, is dependent upon the result of negotiations, the spirit of co- operation of which remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the level of needless anxiety being experienced by so many about their uncertain future may be regarded as part of the bargaining chip war and reflects no credit on the British Government.

The “doomsday scenario” would, of course, be the mass expulsion of EU residents domiciled in the UK and a reciprocal response from the remaining 27 countries of the European Union and result in largest movement of humanity since the Second World War.

Such an event, however improbable, would clearly be catastrophic not only for the individuals concerned but also for the economy in general and for many industries in particular.

Civilisation has hopefully moved on from history’s mass expulsions but even a watered-down version of a similar policy is surely unworthy of serious debate.

ROBERT MITCHELL Matthews Drive, Newtongrange I quite agree with John Birkett, “Stand up for UK”, (Letters, 1 April). It’s entirely right that, if during the Brexit negotiations, Germany demands back payments from the UK, they should be required to honour their debts.

This should apply to every other EU county which might attempt to apply punitive financial penalties to the United Kingdom.

At the moment the EU is operating a “Project Fear” of its own because despite Donald Tusk’s disparagement of “populism” as anti-democratic, he and other EU leaders know that the policies and decisions they have made over several years have only benefited an avaricious elite of bankers and multinational companies, so they have brought the discontent which they are now seeing, and not just in the UK, upon themselves.

They fear other countries which have been financially ruined by their policies will leave the union, so they intend to bully them into submission.

It is arguable that existence of the EU has prevented another world war, but that does not give it carte blanche to turn into a different kind of dictatorship: one which has the power to make or break its member countries. It must recognise its faults and weaknesses and take steps to amend them.

LOVINA ROE Glasgow Road, Perth As the implications of leaving the European Union slowly appear, it becomes clear that Westminster is going to be diminished in world terms. Gibraltar is an initial example. Its important position in the 19th and early 20th century of the British Empire has gone. No longer is it a staging-point on the way to India. Now Westminster can no longer defend it and it looks like it is going to have to lose its position as part of the negotiations.

The reality is that, like Hong Kong or Singapore, it is perfectly capable of prospering without a direct link to Westminster. It has more communication with Spain and its economy depends on having an open border with it.

Leaving the EU might allow Westminster “to take back control” but it is probably going to be only control of England and Wales.

BRUCE D SKIVINGTON Pairc a Ghliob, Strath, Gairloch With the Tory press now telling Theresa May she needs to walk away and refuse to be tempted to do deals with regard to Gibraltar or punitive financial settlement, the pressure on both sides is a bit like that of 1914 when ultimatums had to be backed by real threats.

Now whether the UK takes a hard or soft Brexit, an independent Scotland will most likely be able to trade with it (unless we enter the full European Union). If the UK takes a hard Brexit the investments that are dependent on being in Europe will probably trickle up to Scotland.

So will Scotland be able to afford independence or will the 9 per cent debt make life impossible for us? Well, cutting out defence spending and accepting the inevitability of fracking can give us a cushion while we wait for the benefits of Brexit to come our way.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh