It’s time to stop the scaremongering over leaving the single market

SIR – Christopher Booker (Review, April 30) continues to forecast catastrophe if we leave the European Economic Area and fail to apply for membership of the European Free Trade Association.

He must realise by now that Theresa May and her negotiating team have come to the sensible conclusion that doing so would be tantamount to remaining in the EU in all but name.

Perhaps Mr Booker thinks that, if he continues to forecast doom and gloom, he will eventually be vindicated. It may be early days, but I would respectfully remind him that the disasters forecast before the referendum have not materialised. Britain’s economy is flourishing. Given how many countries outside the EU are lining up to trade with us, it will continue to do so.

It must also be emphasised that, despite the threats and bullying by the leaders of the EU, we have the upper hand. It is as much in their interests as ours that a trade deal acceptable to both sides is agreed. The dubious show of strength by EU leaders last week smacked of desperation and was, as much as anything, a warning to other member states not to follow Britain’s example. David Morgan Shrewsbury, Shropshire

SIR – Many of us who lived through the Seventies might find the EU leadership reminiscent of some former union leaders.

Dictating their demands in front of the news cameras, boasting of their solidarity, they seem to believe that we will simply capitulate. How little they know us. Graham Smith Marlow, Buckinghamshire

SIR – Judging by what John Redwood and others have said, Britain appears to have no legal obligation to pay a Brexit bill.

That must be clearly stated by us at the beginning of the negotiations. Mrs May should offer a modest contribution towards ongoing EU projects, but nothing like the many billions of euros that have been talked about. And one thing must be insisted upon: payment will only be made when trade negotiations have been successfully concluded. No trade deal, no cash. Sam Dunning Guildford, Surrey

SIR – Jean-Claude Juncker has made a speech in French because, according to him, English is losing its importance in Europe. Why, then, if one is going by the importance of the language, did he make his speech in French rather than German?

Secondly, as we all know from learning languages in school and then travelling to the various countries of Europe, French is brilliant if you are speaking to someone who is French.

However, if you are French, and want to speak to anybody from any other country that is not basically French, then English is indispensable. A T Brooks Swindon, Wiltshire