ES Views: We were lied to - and we can still remain in the EU

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Campaigners carry a giant EU flag during an anti-Brexit march on the first day of the conference
AFP/Getty Images
6 October 2017
WEST END FINAL

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Contrary to the views expressed by Roy Luxton and EJ Malone [Letters, October 2], the democratic case for a fresh popular vote on Brexit — one including the option to remain a full EU member state — is compelling.

The outcome of the 2016 referendum was narrow and, although it provided a mandate for starting a process, neither it nor the subsequent general election afforded a mandate for any particular form of Brexit. How could it when voters were, for example, told that a vote to Leave would not mean exiting the single market, then told that it would? Yes, David Cameron did say that the vote was a one-off. But if prime ministers can change their minds over early general elections, why can’t voters be afforded the same right?

The UK is still a full EU member state and can choose, if it wishes, to scrap Article 50. Those who suggest otherwise, or that we would have to re-apply for EU membership, are not telling the country the truth and you have to ask why not, because it certainly isn’t in the name of patriotism or support for democracy.
Nick Hill


It is absurd to suggest that we should have another vote on EU membership if the Government is unable to deliver on promises made by Brexit supporters, or on the basis that voters did not understand the issues. If we went down that route every general election would have to be rerun if it was alleged that the new Government had not kept the promises it had made to the electorate.
Pat Traynor


Where has democracy gone in this country? The majority of voters voted to leave the EU, why should we bow down to the minority who feel disappointed with the result? Surely the will of the majority should always overrule the will of the minority? We are leaving the EU, let’s get behind the Prime Minister instead of putting hurdles in the way, respect a democratic vote and stop moaning about a new referendum.
Nick Smith


I am appalled at some of the emails published suggesting another vote. Like many others, I voted for freedom from a bureaucratic and undemocratic empire that could soon disintegrate. Nobody knows what the future holds. On the one hand, we have a debtridden, bureaucratic and benefitculture country but in many ways, thanks to the work ethic and entrepreneurial efforts of newcomers, I have every confidence we can look forward. We managed perfectly well before we sold out the Commonwealth and we can do so again.
Bob Hughes


Help the homeless in an inclusive way

While it is right to focus on preventing homelessness, it is impossible to ignore the rising number of rough sleepers, beggars, sofa-surfers and squatters in London.

The effect of spending cuts, both national and local, means this could be their worst winter for decades. For too long London’s homeless have been administered to from above. All too often things are done for them, not with them.

But if we change the way we think about poverty — if the dispossessed are given the opportunity to develop themselves — it is possible to create a bottom-up, people-powered plan to prevent homelessness for good.
Lord Bird


Tesco's Lewis is just passing the buck

The Willow Farm chicken scandal is yet another example of how little Tesco seems to care about customers and suppliers. Its CEO Dave Lewis’s comments expressing shock at revelations of poor hygiene that came out of the Guardian/ITV investigation are bizarre.

He needs to take responsibility for the actions of the company he leads. Perhaps it is down to publications like the Evening Standard to call Tesco to account, as well as the public, who should be staying well away from its stores and hitting the one thing it really does care about — profit.
Mark Hayman


A welcome boost for manufacturers

At the Tory conference Chancellor Philip Hammond promised £400million to the northern powerhouses. It is reassuring to see the Government is investing in our industrial sectors but we are still losing £180billion a year as a result of machine downtime, with an astounding 94 per cent of machine failures being caused by technical faults and ageing machinery.

The Chancellor’s cash needs to go towards implementing software for manufacturers to avoid costly downtime, increase productivity and put £180billion into our economy.
Chris Proctor

Acid attacks are a worldwide problem

YOUR campaign targeting acid attacks in London and tighter controls on corrosive substances are vital steps towards combating this horrifying type of violence [“Amber Rudd announces crackdown on acid attacks”, Oct 3].

Bangladesh, where ActionAid works, has one of the highest incidences of acid attacks — peaking at around 400 in 2002 — but attacks have now declined to under 100 per year following government legislation restricting the import and sale of acid. This is just a small part of the picture however.

Globally, there are roughly 1,500 acid attacks each year and such attacks disproportionally affect females due to social norms that lead perpetrators to see women’s bodies as commodities that can be controlled and destroyed as they see fit.

ActionAid is working to tackle this by calling on governments to support local grassroots women’s rights organisations to help survivors rebuild their lives and prevent future attacks.
Anne Quesney, ActionAid

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