Nothing has been done since Brexit poll to prove UK can negotiate a stable path

As one of the authors of the Brexit letter Bill Jamieson derides as anti-democratic (Perspective, 20 July), I regret that he missed the point entirely. No-one doubts the referendum result, however questionable the claims on Turkish migration, sovereignty or largesse for the NHS.

The point is that in the intervening 13 months nothing has been done to prove the UK capable of pursuing a coherent and competitive path in negotiations, based as they are on pure ideology and the total lack of a blueprint or plan. Our allies are right to wonder exactly what it is we seek to achieve. Bill Jamieson is right, however, to promote an Eea-style transition. This was precisely what the Scottish Standing Council on Europealreadyadvised.when tabled by the Scottish Government, the UK’S crack negotiating team did not even have the decency to read it.

JOHN EDWARD Eildon Street, Edinburgh

Well done Bill Jamieson, for his comments on ignoring voters’ wishes. The people that signed this letter seem to want another EU referendum, because they don’t like the result of the last one. It is particularly rich that George Robertson is here, he being the man who told us that devolution would kill nationalism stone dead.

What is it with the political class here? Some of them want another independence referendum. They may say, after Burke, that elected representatives give their best judgment, but if so, why then have referendums in the first place? Is it any wonder so many are held in contempt (which may be one reason some voters voted Leave in the first place)? WILLIAM BALLANTINE

Dean Road Bo’ness, West Lothian Professor Ronald Macdonald (Letters, 21 July) makes an excellent point that is often lost in press hysteria, that a majority voted for Brexit – but the referendum did not indicate the kind of Brexit they wanted.

Thus a Norway-type solution is our best starting point. However, the hysterical and unrealistic attitudes promoted by the Tory press makes this plan seem like a betrayal. We need to face such attitudes down by standing up for true democratic values.

People need to be reminded that our constitution was built around Parliamentary sovereignty and judicial oversight.

So the idea that the referendum represents “the final will of the people” (which can only be interpreted by the high priests of Brexit) is an idea that is in conflict with the idea of Parliamentary Sovereignty.

When the government failed to respond to a question about the role of press baron Rupert Murdoch in getting a leading Brexiteer taken into the cabinet, then our politicians exhibited yet again a lack of respect for, and understanding of, what democracy is about.

Democracy is a valued principle which has maintained unity through our choppy history.

When people neglect fairness and promote partisan attitudes all the time, they undervalue democracy.

Propagandists need to ask themselves about the role of propaganda in the failure of democracy in the past (such as Weimar Germany) and also realise that brain science has now shown that people are not rational when stirred up.

Unless democracy is valued again, we risk unforeseen consequences.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh