Brexit set to go down as one of greatest self-inflicted wounds in modern history

In the spring of 1945 Europeans found themselves standing amidst the smouldering ruins of western civilisation. A 30-year civil war from 1914 to 1945 had effectively burned Europe to the ground. Nearly 100 million people had been killed; the great cities of Europe reduced to rubble and the world’s most powerful economies shattered.

But in this year zero the Europeans said “never again” and forged what became the EU. Britain hesitated but eventually joined, replacing its lost empire with a key role in Europe. London soon emerged as the de facto financial, creative, military and arguably the intellectual capital of a massive union of more than 300 million people.

Then, in a moment of madness by a tiny minority the provincial English voted to throw the whole thing away. Brexit was ill-conceived, ill-thought out, driven by xenophobia and the propaganda of Tory backwoodsmen. It will almost certainly go down as one of the greatest and most unnecessary self-inflicted wounds in modern history

(REV DR) JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews

Mrs May’s Brexit agreement might gain more support if she would:

l List her red lines and other positions that she has now conceded, together with those of the EU which it has conceded, for comparison.

l Itemise our EU obligations which, after deducting our share of EU assets, equal the net £39 billion (which conflicts with the Lords’ report that legally we owed nothing).

l Fully explain why she rejected both Michel Barnier’s farreaching free-trade proposal and the opinion of both HMRC and its Irish counterpart that the Ni/ireland border poses no problem under such a plan. l Confirm that as “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”, the withdrawal arrangements are not set in stone until our future EU relationship is also finalised – since Article 50(2) covers both by one single agreement.

JOHN BIRKETT Horseleys Park, St Andrews

Breaking up a decades-old, reasonably successful union such as the EU is proving to be more than difficult and is possibly risking destroying the very fabric of our society.

Surely even the dullest and most zealous of Scottish Nationalists must be aware that attempting to break up the centuries-old, successful and fully integrated UK will be infinitely more painful and devastating than the ongoing agony Brexit. We have our equivalent of the split-at-anycost-and-ignore-reality Brexiteers here in Scotland and you do not need to look far to see them.

Brian Wilson (17 November) is once more spot-on. ALEXANDER MCKAY New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh

It’s hard to write about political events with any confidence at the moment, such is the chaos. But one factor that seems predictable and consistent throughout is that Scotland’s preferences will be ignored.

Back in 2014, those who led the campaign for the Union told us that Scotland was an equal partner in a family of nations.

Events of the last three years, however, have demonstrated beyond all doubt that Scotland is anything but an equal partner, and that if the UK is a family, it’s a dysfunctional one.

I invite people to ponder two questions. First, which country’s priorities have held more sway in recent events – those of (independent) Ireland? Or (non-independent) Scotland? And second, can anyone seriously argue that the Republic of Ireland would rather be in Scotland’s position: being tossed around helplessly in a maelstrom of others’ preferences and ideologies?

It is obvious which constitutional position better protects the interests of its people. The merits, benefits and opportunities of Scotland being a normal, independent country have surely never been clearer.

C HEGARTY Glenorchy Road, North Berwick

Article 132 of the Brexit draft withdrawal agreement on leaving the EU states that the transition period (during which the UK will continue under EU jurisdiction) may be extended to “31 December 20XX”. So Britain could continue to be governed by Brussels to the end of this century.

Placing Northern Ireland under a different customs arrangement will undermine the UK’S sovereignty and, as Dominic Raab has said, “presents a very real threat to the integrity of the UK”.

Article 87 underlines that the EU will still determine UK law. Under Article 130 the UK will be “consulted” about the fisheries policy, but stocks allocatedtoukfishermenwill be determined by Brussels.

The UK’S share of EU assets will be written off, but we will continue to pay for EU pensions – and pay £39bn for the privilege of trying to leave.

This is a terrible deal as it stands. Unless it is changed, MPS must vote it down and move to a clean Brexit, trading under World Trade Organisation rules.

WILLIAM LONESKIE

Oxton, Lauder