Natalie Nougayrède (Opinion, 30 December) suggests that France’s President Macron could stop Brexit. Maybe, but fine words alone will not be much use. The EU will have to make a significant concession that might change public opinion in the UK.
When the EU was enlarged in 2004 existing members were entitled to take advantage of transitional arrangements limiting the flow of migrants from eastern Europe for up to seven years. Three countries – the UK, Ireland and Sweden – waived their right to restrict free movement. In the UK’s case, we did so on the basis of research that grossly underestimated the likely flow of migrants. If the EU wants us to stay, why not offer the UK all or part of the moratorium that we unwisely turned down last time around? A long shot, I know, but worth a try.
Chris Mullin
Alnwick, Northumberland
Lord Adonis’s resignation letter probably tells us much more about recent British politics than he realises (Adonis quits, calling May the ‘voice of Ukip’, 30 December). He describes Brexit as “a populist and nationalist spasm” – challenging the ability of the people of this country to make decisions about their own future.
As a remain voter I regret the decision to leave the EU, but the consensus politics and “cooperation across parties” that he advocates reflect a society where the needs of ordinary people are continuously ignored. No wonder they used the EU referendum to stick two fingers up at the establishment. What gives him, and his fellow unelected peers, the right to “oppose it relentlessly” from the House of Lords?
Declan O’Neill
Oldham
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