AS a consistent and long-term supporter of the European Union and its founding principles, I note that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson only now seems to realise that Brexit is showing alarming signs of stalling (“Johnson’s ‘conciliatory’ speech riles the EU and Remain voters”, The Herald, February 15). Hence his desperate appeal to Remain voters to “get behind the country” and make it easier for him and his fellow conspirators to lead us down the Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole of Brexit alluded to by Ken Clarke in his spirited speech in 2016.

Perhaps I should be flattered that Mr Johnson referred to Remain voters at all because, during the past 18 months, we appeared to have completely disappeared off his radar. However, now it seems that he needs us. Is he expecting us, by any chance, to repent of our alleged foolishness and fall in with the rest of the herd in the headlong rush to “make Britain great again”? That was certainly the tone of his speech as there was little else but tone and precious little content.

I have often noted enthusiastic Leave voters referring to the EU as a “dictatorship” and its leading members as “faceless bureaucrats”’.

These are descriptions much-loved by the right-wing press and one can only assume that Brexit supporters have eagerly lapped this up in their haste to be free of such “EU tyranny”.

As we have always elected our own MEPs to represent us in the European Parliament, and these representatives have had the power to veto any legislation seen as inappropriate to Britain’s interests, I cannot bring myself to understand what is so tyrannical about this eminently democratic system. At least the EU has standards on employment, food and the environment. I shudder to think what will happen after Brexit when the malign influence of the United States inflicts its sub-standard foods on a UK poised to exploit its less-protected workforce in ever more polluted surroundings.

The very people who are most enthusiastic about Brexit will be the ones who suffer the greatest exploitation. But, of course, the patriotic rush of blood to the head has denied them insight.

Sadly, I suspect that a damage limitation exercise will result in a UK that is neither in nor out of the EU. Given that politics is the art of compromise, I recognise the anxieties of Brexit supporters and would be wiling to opt for membership of European Free Trade Association instead.

At least this would solve the problems of the Irish border and endless queues of lorries at Dover. And both Leave and Remain voters should have some measure of satisfaction at the outcome.

However, pushing for a complete break from EU influence will continue to tear the UK apart. It’s too extreme. The present impasse will continue until this penny drops. I suspect Mr Johnson and his Brexit colleagues are beginning to understand this, even if they cannot openly express it.

Dave Stewart,

6 Blairatholl Avenue, Glasgow,

BORIS Johnson’s appearance as the warm-up act on the great new charm offensive show must surely rank as one of the most hypocritical and insincere episodes in this latest chaotic episode of Brexit, the horror show. I presume that the intention was to calm the electorate, to recognise the sincerity of the Remainers, not be triumphalist but to deliver a message of hope and optimism for the successful conclusion of a satisfactory exit from the EU.

As their promises disappear (the campaign bus pledging millions of pounds for the NHS an, a new bright, deep and special relationship with our European friends and neighbours), so does the sincerity and veracity of the phase-one proposals from the UK including the Irish question, the security of EU nationals during and after Brexit and the transitional agreement.They are again, being called into question.

The EU is no longer certain they mean very much or translate into action; even a transitional phase might not be on.

Mr Johnson and his people might have sounded certain and confident on the outcome of Brexit but they were just making it up as they went along and now they are being found out, and are preparing us for the inevitable: kick the table over and leave, but always mindful of how it’s all going down with the true movers and shakers, the right wing of the Tory party

I heard a simple message: we are leaving the EU, like or lump it. We cannot tell you how it will pan out: you must have faith in us and accept what we can deliver; we will do our best but there will be no vote of approval on the final terms and no new referendum.

I understand there will be a series of follow up speeches and declarations before the main act comes on stage at some time. I just can’t wait.

Ian McLaren,

27 Buchanan Drive,

Lenzie.

BORIS Johnson’s “conciliatory” speech appears to have been anything but. I have often questioned Theresa May’s decision-making abilities but cannot fathom this one out. She has allowed Mr Johnson to once again channel his inner Churchill in the hope of rallying the troops into one integrated fighting unit but it appears to have had the opposite effect. If I had to choose a cabinet minister to extend the olive branch it would not have been Mr Johnson.

He is such a divisive figure. I wonder if Mrs May has a cunning plan to use him as an instrument to wake up our uncertain and confused-at-times citizenry as to the roots of a hard Brexit and the havoc it may yet wreak.

Anne-Marie Colgan,

10 Castle Wynd,

Bothwell.

BORIS Johnson, having ploughed through a mixter-maxter of nothingness in his speech on Brexit, omitted to mention the most telling fact about any future proposals from the UK to the EU.

All the EU has to say is “No”. It has the final word; it is the final arbiter. The UK Government is the supplicant; after it formally leaves in March 2019. Basta!

John Edgar,

4 Merrygreen Place, Stewarton.

WITH Boris Johnson, David Davis and Jacob Rees-Mogg going high profile to reassure and soft-soap Remainers and Brexit waiverers, I suggest that at the end of their mission, dressed to deceive, they hold a fancy dress ball.

I envisage the first-named sporting a toga, the second in jester outfit and the last-named in a straight jacket.

Michael Gove? He was not invited.

R Russell Smith,

96 Milton Road,

Kilbirnie.