I believe that a fundamental difference between leave and remain lies in knowledge and interpretation of our history. To remainers it began 40 years ago; to leavers it stopped 40 years ago.

As a leaver I am proud of the fact that, although our vast empire has gone the way of all empires, our global legacy includes four great English-speaking democracies - the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - plus two major trading hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore. All with British-based institutions.

So far as Europe is concerned we do share cultural values in music, literature, art etc, but never political. After England lost Calais in the 16th century our direct interest in the interminable little European wars finished. We did however take on the role of curbing the ambition of tyrannical would-be emperors; in particular Philip of Spain, Louis 14th, Napoleon and Kaiser Wilhelm.

Oddly enough no European war was complete without the participation of Scottish mercenaries on one side or both. After the Union this was embarrassing so they were lured home, put into kilts and sent off to extend the Empire.

AV Martin, Westfield Close, Wigginton,York

Frosty reception for PM’s deal on Brexit

THE barometer reading has plunged like a lead balloon.

Am I talking weather or Brexit? Because there doesn’t seem to be a difference.

It was predictable that the outcome of last week’s vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal would be a defeat for the Government. But we the people must be still be heard, if only because of that referendum vote.

It was a vote that was flawed by lies and mistruths, but what value is democracy if it has become debased by last week’s charade? Last week’s vote ignored these vital points:

  • our fishermens’ rights
  • our border protection
  • our Ireland connections
  • our Gibraltar sovereignty
  • our Scottish connection

The EU stranglehold on us in regard to their restricting tariffs on our trade.

All these issues were airbrushed out in our haste to cast that vote. However, did any politician bother to tell us; or did they really know?

Are we the people any wiser if we are dragged into yet another referendum? Politicians still will not give us the plain simple truth about Brexit, which I find most worrying. Brexit in simple speak...?

I would like to know.

Phil Shepherdson,

Chantry Close,

York

Parliament should be coming together

IN a nutshell the 2016 referendum gave two choices: remain or leave the European Union.

A second referendum would no doubt offer three choices: remain; leave with no deal; leave with a deal keeping us under EU rules with no say.

No doubt the remainers would vote to remain in a second referendum and the leavers leave.

One could safely assume that the leave votes would be split two ways. It is not rocket science, therefore, to see why those who cannot accept the result of the 2016 referendum are demanding another.

A second referendum is not a democratic solution to our problems.

No deal is better than a bad deal and our Prime Minister is absolutely correct in saying we should honour the result of the 2016 referendum.

The people are fed up with all the shilly-shallying.

Parliament should come together and get on with Brexit.

Mary Morton,

Hob Moor Drive,

Holgate, York