'EU is set up to rule over democracy'

On June 18, Mr Legge urged extension to the Brexit transition period beyond end December 2020. On July 9, I explained the EU accepted on June 12 this will not happen, pointing out recent EU failures on both coronavirus policy and China’s threat to Hong Kong’s status.

On July 16 he says my letter “could have been written in 2016”. Having repeated (common sense) “no deal is better than a bad deal”, he claims I said no deal is better than a deal. Nor did I refer to countries’ health services. Calling me extreme is pot calling kettle pot’s colour.

The 2016 Referendum result was clear; the PM walked. In the 2017 General Election 85 per cent of votes went to parties claiming to respect the result. The 2019 General Election outcome was overwhelming. Bad losers enter a race, accept the rules, then argue their combined speeds were faster than the winners. Wrecking tactics over 2017 to 2019 slowed UK exit preparations.

The EU is geared to rule by experts constraining democratic choices alien to an elite. Brussels insists the UK repeals tough new import controls protecting us from a devastating disease affecting many trees, shrubs and plants on the continent. We must now wait until January 1.

We must enshrine in law current high animal welfare plus food hygiene and safety standards. Also, joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) would be a safer route to an FTA with the USA than a separate bilateral agreement.

Peter True