ES Views: The argument over what Brexit will mean goes on

Have your say Twitter: @esviews Email: esviews@standard.co.uk
Theresa May
PA
7 February 2017
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Lib-Dem MP Tom Brake notes that leaving the European single market was not on the referendum ballot paper [Letters, February 3]. But what he fails to explain is how we can stay in the single market while rejecting freedom of movement, paying into the EU coffers and accepting restrictions on our ability to make and adjudicate our own laws and on securing trade agreements for the UK. They are all incompatible with membership of the single market.

It seems he wants to keep all of the things that we have rejected, with the only change being the loss of our vote in the EU. That is not Brexit in any meaningful sense.

There were many contradictory claims made by both sides during what passed for debate before the referendum, and I recall being told, when Remainers warned we would have to leave the single market, that we might hope for tariff-free access at best. The campaign was not concluded by lies. What is true is that Brake doesn’t accept the UK-wide result and doesn’t appear to represent his constituents.

Asking for the impossible and then crying “hard, Tory Brexit” when it can’t be delivered is irresponsible and unhelpful. What matters now is that we work to secure the best deal available — and the Prime Minister wants to achieve this.
Jeremy G Bown

We are repeatedly told that Brexit is the people’s wish, yet just 37.5 per cent of those eligible to vote chose to leave the EU in the referendum.

It is indeed a cock-eyed democratic system that allows a Government, which should act in the national interest, to cite such an outcome as a mandate to embark on significant constitutional change, while our supposedly sovereign parliament supinely allows it to do so unchecked.

The Government’s promise of a bright, new post-Brexit tomorrow owes more to conjecture, political rhetoric and an innate sense of national superiority than to known facts. We are being taken on a journey towards the cliff’s edge and our elected parliamentary representatives are duty-bound to prevent us from being led lemming-like over it.
Andrew Smith

I am fed-up with people saying that Brexit is “the will of the British people”. People voted to “leave” on the basis of a tick-box campaign, with no plan for what to do next, and many people living and working in the UK were not able to vote.

Meanwhile, we face losing our rights as EU citizens while EU migrants in the UK face an uncertain future. Yet we are supposed to put up and shut up because “the people have spoken”. The arrogance of the Brexit bullies is breathtaking.
Sally-Anne Smith

Tough questions lie ahead for Heathrow

WhileI welcome the public consultation on Heathrow expansion, there are many questions to answer aside from concerns about increased noise and air pollution. One is the ease of transportation to and from a significantly enlarged airport. Clearly, new roads will be required and both surface and underground railway links need to be developed. But how much is this going to cost, and who will fund it?

I suspect a good deal of obfuscation and slick PR lies ahead, so I hope the Mayor and people with concerns will refuse to be fobbed off with vague answers. London faces a decade of disruption as a result of the runway development — let’s hope it is worth it.
Robert Bailey

London's night-time hedonism lives on

Alice Favre claims that “hedonism isn’t cool any more — people are obsessed with health and fitness” [“Clubs ‘evolve’ as 5am raves die out”, February 3]. Let’s not pretend that those attending raves at Printworks are planning on sipping green juice while perfecting their yoga poses.

The opening event on Saturday saw outdoor urinals installed alongside the entrance to our award-winning library, prominent warnings about drugs and theft, and a futile plea for partygoers to “please be quiet and respectful, this is a lovely residential area”.

Canada Water residents are willing to give Printworks a chance but I wonder how happy Ms Favre would be about this kind of venue opening up on her own doorstep?
Emma H Jones

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Wenger's Arsenal lacks desire to win

It is the same old story for us Arsenal fans. Arsène Wenger, sitting in the stands, looked utterly helpless as Chelsea cruised to a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Our top players, such as Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez, fell way below their usual quality.

Motivating top-class players in games of this magnitude shouldn’t be difficult but they lacked desire. For this, Wenger is responsible. Fans are calling for his resignation and, with another title challenge dead in the water, who can blame them?
Marcus Thompson
 

The treatment of Arsène Wenger has been despicable. This is a man who has delivered 20 consecutive top-four finishes — neither Manchester United nor Chelsea can match that — as well as nine major trophies, all while on a budget. Arsenal fans should show him some respect.
D Mooney

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Kids should not be breathing toxic air

It’s shameful that pupils in north Lambeth may have to be given masks to protect them from toxic air [February 3]. Until recently I worked at Lambeth council, where we tried to persuade people to walk and cycle instead of drive.

Unfortunately, many such initiatives were scuppered by residents who just wanted to drive. While I sympathise with the children, their parents should perhaps look at their own behaviour.
Richard Ambler Kabir

Traffic bans make for a healthier life

While marching in London against Donald Trump’s travel ban last week, I couldn’t help but notice the striking improvement in air quality thanks to the traffic ban.

All three generations of my family who marched with me strongly support the Evening Standard ’s clean air campaign. With more such bans on traffic we might all one day breathe fresh air again in central London.
Q S McLean

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