ES Views: Government is ignoring crucial points on Brexit

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Theresa May
PA
21 February 2017
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We now know that the Government plans to deal with Brexit by negotiating and concluding exit arrangements over money, treaties, common EU programmes and a wholly bespoke free trade agreement — all within two years.

This approach is a crude and unrealistic “give us what we want or we will happily crash out of everything”. On the other hand, we have been treated to the sight of Tony Blair urging the public to “rise up” and reject Brexit altogether, presumably offering a craven apology to the other EU members for having the temerity to question the project.

I would ask who is representing those of us who support — or accept — Brexit but want to aim for a sensible landing, staying in the single market and possibly rejoining the European Free Trade Association?

I cannot believe this option is simply being ignored by the Government. The process of leaving the EU should not be dictated by a handful of Tory hardliners and challenged only by whining Remainers. If we do not speak up we will lose out.
Mark Burrows


As someone who has advocated leaving the EU for more than two decades, I resent people suggesting I am out to “wreck” the Brexit bill by seeking to amend it [“House of Lords urged to pass Brexit Bill unamended to avoid ‘pitting peers against people’”, February 20].

Many of us have huge concerns that we will lose environmental and social protections because of the way the Prime Minister is approaching these negotiations. I am concerned that the Cabinet will try to dump protections for everything from wildlife and countryside to workers’ rights and climate change, by using a combination of exit negotiations and secondary legislation.

It is wrong to use the referendum result as cover for by-passing proper parliamentary scrutiny, and the Lords has the job of ensuring a democratic process is followed throughout the different stages of the negotiations.

As for threats to abolish the Lords and replace it with a democratically elected second chamber, that would be a welcome bonus.
Jenny Jones House of Lords (Green)


I am shocked by Tony Blair’s call to “rise up and reject Brexit”. Why is he trying to incite some kind of revolution because he does not agree with the result of the EU vote?

I voted in the 1975 referendum called by Harold Wilson asking us to remain in the European Economic Community. When the electorate voted Remain, I do not remember anyone suggesting the result should be rejected and, subsequently, the UK joined the EU. Blair should keep his opinions to himself.
Ken Hayes


UK can't survive without EU citizens

Yesterday marked the day of action for the campaign group One Day Without Us, where EU citizens showed one way or another how difficult it would be for the UK to survive without them.

Some decided against going to work while thousands of others protested outside the Houses of Parliament. The Government’s current stance of refusing to give EU migrants living in the UK guarantees over their status post-Brexit is immoral and damaging.

The treatment they have received is immoral. Millions of people such as my wife, who have made their lives here, paid taxes and have children in school, may have nowhere else to go.

It is also damaging to our public services. Many people rely hugely on EU-born doctors and nurses, without whom the NHS would collapse overnight.

I hope this protest and their actions will shake the Government into action. The Prime Minister must confirm that they have a right to stay and stop using them as pawns at the negotiation table.
Chris Key


Corbyn should be fighting for change

As a Jeremy Corbyn supporter, I’ve been saddened to see what has happened since he was elected [“Corbyn hit by new turmoil as top aide quits over lack of direction”, February 17].

While Corbyn’s been asking the right questions, sadly it’s not enough. He should be fighting for change, not making life easy for the Tories.

Over Brexit, he has failed us all.
David Reed


Low-paid to be hit by new car charge

So Sadiq Khan is to impose yet another charge on motorists [“T-charge zone comes into force in October, February 17], which includes cars more than 10 years old.

People own older cars because they can’t afford new ones. What astounding hypocrisy from a Labour Mayor — with a limousine and a salary of £143,911 — in penalising the low-paid.
Veronica Lee

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Mayor’s cycling plan is welcome

I was delighted to read about the Mayor’s ambitious plans as he sets out his vision for “healthy streets” in London [“£1.7 billion NHS savings if Londoners cycled or walked 20 minutes a day”, February 16].

The Mayor promises to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport over private vehicles and with the new Walking and Cycling Commissioner Will Norman we hope this can become a reality. Londoners simply don’t get enough exercise, and when they do they are breathing filthy air.

Regent’s Park Cyclists represents thousands of cyclists that use Regent’s Park Outer Circle. It is also the key link in the proposed Cycling Superhighway 11 (CS11)

With overwhelming support, the Mayor decided CS11 would go ahead but with one key decision being kicked down the road: restricted gate openings. This is critical as it keeps gates closed for longer with the aim of reducing through traffic by up to 80 per cent.

Without this, the opportunity to encourage people to cycle and walk more will be lost.

Restricting through traffic within Regent’s Park is the easiest decision the Mayor has to make if he is serious about his plans for healthy streets in London.
Justin McKie, chair, Regent’s Park Cyclists

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Milwall fans need to shed their image

One would have thought Millwall fans, with everything that has gone on in the past few months with Lewisham council, could celebrate a magnificent FA Cup win over Leicester City appropriately. But the pitch invasion on Saturday shows they still struggle to erase their bad image.

Their manager, Neil Harris, also deserves criticism. Instead of condemning the invasions, somewhat irresponsibly he said it was “expected”. What would have happened if a player was attacked? One hopes there are no problems in the quarter-final against Tottenham.
Don Clark

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