IT is to be remembered that the UK voted to leave the EU. Much is being made by those wishing to remain that we did not know what we were voting for. This is pretty arrogant. I knew exactly why I voted to leave, and this was not to half leave. Boris Johnson has got no choice but to threaten to leave with no deal if necessary. If Theresa May had said to the EU in the first place that we are leaving and it is not open for discussion then I am certain that the EU would have agreed to a deal that suits us, not them. Instead it was put to them in such a way that we were asking their permission to leave and therefore they started to put up every block they could think of to get us to stay.

The reports of the UK being doomed if we leave with no deal are all scaremongering. How did we manage before the EU was formed? Perfectly well. The only reason that there may be delays at ports is that the EU is hell-bent on making it as difficult as possible. The EU is desperate not to lose the obscene amount of money we, its largest contributor, pay.

Boris Johnson was criticised for saying the amount of money we pay was incorrect. The figure he stated was perfectly correct, albeit it was the gross figure we pay before any rebate. Rebates are not automatic and must be applied for. If we pay only one pound a year, for me this would be far too much to remain in a club where we are obliged to abide by the rules whether we agree or not.

The EU is also petrified that when we leave and are seen to survive alter all, other EU countries could be lining up to do the same.

The Remainers talk about the current moves by Mr Johnson as being anti-democratic. I am not sure if they know the meaning of the word. As far as they are concerned it is democratic only if they agree with something.

As for the SNP, why did it vote against previous deals that were proposed if it did not wish to leave the EU with no deal? No matter what deal was agreed it would come up with a reason to oppose it, because deep down it is only interested in its one obsession.

It must not be forgotten that the ultimate aim of the EU is, and always will be, total integration and the creation of a European superstate. You cannot change this dream from the inside and that is why we must leave now, either with a deal that we agree with, or no deal.

Gordon Bannatyne, Milton of Campsie.

MICHAEL Gove is a politician whose opinions I used to regard as being honestly held and, always, as the result of some rational thought on his part. No longer. In an interview this week he said that the likely outcome of a No Deal Brexit “may cause difficulties and will bring benefits”. The truthful answer would have been “will cause difficulties and may bring benefits”. The Brexit shambles is corrupting political conduct at the highest levels. Now the Prime Minister has sunk to a level, previously proposed by Jeremy Corbyn, by threatening MPs with many years of service to his own party, with de-selection: for holding to their principles and behaving honourably.

The danger that the general public will disengage from politics altogether increases by the day.

Ian HC Stein, Dunblane.

BILL Eadie (Letters, September 3) is to be commended for his percipient observations on the anti-Brexit demonstration in Glasgow’s George Square. There were various groups expressing their individual frustrations to oust Boris Jonson but no common consensus as to future governance of the UK. The promotion of self-interest appears to have been foremost. Mr Eadie’s post-attendance disillusionment is best illustrated by his closing sentence “We are badly served by all politicians and there is a need for radical change in our system “. Perhaps not “all” but certainly many are conspicuous with unprincipled self-preservation and promotion in their respective political parties.

Allan C Steele, Giffnock.

THE arrival of Dilyn the rescue puppy at 10 Downing Street means that Boris Johnson ain’t the only occupant that’s barking.

Alastair Patrick, Paisley.