COULD we manage two cheers for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)? It has done us all a service by preserving the “soft” Irish border and thus edging us nearer to a “soft” border at the English Channel.

Since both borders are interfaces between the EU and the UK, it seems impossible to envisage different regulations at each, other than in local detail, if that. What has emerged is well described by that marvellous phrase “constructive ambiguity”. It has kept the negotiation show on the road for another few months but we can be sure that the main confrontations still lie ahead. It was encouraging to hear that Boris Johnson and Michael Gove both support what has been achieved so far.

Perhaps the wild Brexiters are beginning to face the reality of concluding a good deal. The battles of 2018 will take place in the Cabinet and in the Tory party. Theresa May still needs to defy the hard Brexiters in her Cabinet and party, declare her hand and go for the preservation of as many links as possible with the EU. We must not let the future of our country be determined by a few prejudiced anti-Europeans.

W K Brown,

61 Killermont Road, Bearsden.

THE stark contrast in the reactions last week of Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson to the compromise approach found to the post-Brexit Irish border issue, was most telling.

For the First Minister, her immediate instinct has been to once again raise the spectre of another divisive independence referendum, trying to drive wedges between the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK. For Ruth Davidson the priority was to protect Scotland’s positive place in the UK. The one wants to tear people apart, the other keep us together. For all that Nicola Sturgeon likes to talk as if she occupies the moral high ground on such issues, the truth is there for all to see.

Keith Howell,

White Moss, West Linton,

Peeblesshire.

THERE was a great sigh of relief in Westminster when the EU agreed to move on from divorce to future trading arrangements. The real stumbling block had been the soft border in Ireland; this was resolved by Theresa May adding a rider that placated the DUP so that it can continue to keep her party in power. Promises have now been made to the EU, the Republic of Ireland and the DUP; they are woolly and probably contradictory.

There will be no “hard” border in Ireland, no border down the Irish sea and, if necessary, rules within the UK will be aligned to meet EU requirements. One wonders why, if these things all come to pass, whether it was worthwhile going for Brexit at all.

I suppose the Tories’ main aim is to kick the can down the road to get on with the trade negotiations. It will be some years to the end of these negotiations and then the subsequent “transition period” to follow.

Perhaps they have in mind that the DUP may no longer have them over a barrel when these promises come to be redeemed. If our Brexiters get their way and it is a hard exit, Northern Ireland might be quietly overlooked and left in the customs union with the republic.

A border in the Irish Sea is the easy option and suits everyone except the Unionist majority in the six counties. Where are the tin helmets?

DS Blackwood,

1 Douglas Drive East,

Helensburgh.

ACCORDING to The Herald, the estimated Brexit bill agreed with the EU will cost each home in the UK £1,400, equivalent to a total of around £39 billion to cover UK’s share of the EU’s budget plus any outstanding debts and liabilities (“The Brexit bill for each home in the UK is set to hit £1,400”, The Herald, December 9).

This does not take into account a requirement to continue paying the obligatory £20bn for the two-year transition period after Brexit in 2019 whilst we stay in the single market and customs union. This would mean a requirement to pay the balance of £19bn (over time) as the actual divorce bill before taking into account the net £10bn annual contribution savings by completely leaving the EU. This would give the UK a net saving within two years after exiting in March, 2021 not the cost you suggest.

Furthermore this tentative agreement is a “breakthrough” as it should allow “exploratory talks” for Britain to reach a Canadian-style-plus trade arrangement with the EU (outside the single market and customs union) which in turn will enable us for the first time to be free to negotiate bespoke trade deals with the rest of the world (like Canada and many other major countries), devoid of any unnecessary red tape and control by unaccountable officials.

Having made major concessions to the EU on the Irish border, citizens’ rights and not walking away from a monetary settlement, it should be possible (with goodwill on both sides) to deliver an “ambitious” trade deal reflecting the above and recognising the fact the UK already comply (unlike Canada) with the full regulatory requirements for trade.

However our negotiating team must remain vigilant to ensure a good trade deal and continue to insist “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” before offset one single penny of taxpayers’ money against our annual £10bn savings when leaving the EU political union in March 2021.

Ian Lakin,

Pinelands, Murtle Den Road,

Milltimber, Aberdeen.

YOU report that it would cost each household in the UK £1,400 to fund the UK’s exit payment. Why should people who voted to remain in the EU have to pay? Let the leavers pay.

Iain M Clarke,

35 Colquhoun Street ,Dumbarton.

THE UK needs a new name after the latest Brexit farce. The present political pantomime is the result of David Cameron’s inability to control the Tory right wing, coupled with Nigel Farage’s adeptness at whipping up xenophobia, topped off by an ineffective opposition. Early December has brought new levels of craziness. Should the UK now be renamed the DUPK?

Amanda Baker,

Saughton Gardens, Edinburgh.

TO solve the Ireland/Northern Ireland border issue, the agreement between the EU and the UK this week proposes “full alignment” between EU and UK regulations. On the Andrew Marr show, David Davis said “full alignment” was “a statement of intent, not a legal thing”. Ireland, beware Perfidious Albion strikes again.

Susan Grant,

Mansfield Cottage,

Scotsburn Road, Tain.