No-deal lever

When a trade union tries to negotiate a deal with an employer, it always does so with the possibility of a strike held in reserve. The Labour movement has fought hard against all attempts to remove the right to strike. It is a weapon of last resort, but it strengthens the hand of the trade union in any negotiation.

It is a threat to be held in reserve. The trade union does not want to go on strike because that damages the company and brings hardship to its members, but it cannot negotiate without that leverage.

No-deal is the equivalent of the right to strike. The UK government cannot negotiate with any strength in its position if it is deprived of the threat of no-deal. The government does not want no-deal because it inflicts economic penalties on both sides, but it still needs that leverage.

The Opposition, including Labour, Lib Dems and SNP, has undermined the UK position in the negotiations with the EU by removing the possibility of no-deal. The UK government is now in the same position as a trade union which has been denied the right to strike.

Jeremy Corbyn has given in to the Remainers and they want him to give in to the EU. However, there is a strong chance that the people of the UK are not ready to give in. They are tired of all the prevarication, but that does not mean

they have changed their minds about Leaving. And if Labour has weakened, the people will soon leave it, too.

The EU referendum was the greatest exercise of democracy that the UK has known. The government and the Opposition should be working together to implement the decision to Leave.

Instead, the Opposition is blocking the way and spoiling the negotiations. They deserve to be thrashed at the next election for their antics. No wonder they refused to go to the country when Boris Johnson challenged them to a general election! Blocking democracy again!

LES REID Morton Street, Edinburgh