MANY of your correspondents have claimed it would be a “disaster” if we leave the EU without a deal and as such No Deal should not be on the table. The alternative view argues that it is not possible to have a proper negotiation without the option to walk away if there is not a willingness by the EU to make reasonable concessions. Indeed, one could say that those who are banging the drum loudest to remove the option of a no deal have inadvertently increased the likelihood by emboldening the EU to take a tougher stance safe in the knowledge the UK wouldn't sign a bad deal and could by default, remain.
There is no doubt from the UK’s point of view one of the worst parts of the membership is our £90 billion deficit in trade with goods with the EU. And we pay them a net £14 billion per annum for the privilege – how utterly unacceptable, especially when we have a trade surplus with the rest of the world. With regard to the tariffs people forget to mention that it works both ways and that the EU would suffer most by having to pay more and also deal with a stronger euro. Having said, that the vast majority of people in the UK (including Boris Johnson) want an orderly exit and a trade deal – but not at any price so as to “punish” the UK.
Clearly, it won’t be business as usual when Brexit is finally enacted, but much will depend on whether there is the willingness of a deal by the “protectionist” EU. For example, if there is no agreement before the UK leaves there will be a much more radical approach needed to offset the self-interests of the EU; like a Johnson-type approach to free-ports (hopefully Aberdeen), improved infrastructure and better digital connectivity throughout the UK along with a host of targeted spends funded by the savings of not being part of the EU.
Nobody should pretend the transition period will be without its challenges but the idea that leaving the EU would prove disastrous is complete nonsense and underestimates the will of the British businesses to fight back against the odds.
Ian Lakin, Aberdeen AB13.
I ASSUME that, since members of the Brexit Party saw fit to turn their backs on Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony’s Ode to Joy, commissioned by the Philharmonic Society of London (of all places) in 1817, they will also refuse to accept their not-inconsiderable salaries from the institution they so abhor.
Janice Taylor, Carluke.
THE Brexit Party’s clearly staged performance in Brussels, turning their backs on the playing of the European anthem, was as graceless as it was pointless. Nigel Farage looked delighted at the synchronisation.
This play-acting is something that minority parties feel they have to do in order to bring attention on themselves. The SNP, led by Ian Blackford, conducted a similar performance at Westminster, storming out en masse, in true Primary One follow-the-leader fashion.
It is all rather sad.
Alexander McKay, Edinburgh EH6.
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