Brexit debacle

Since the start of the referendum campaign, Brexiters have consistently failed to offer any coherent alternative to Britain’s EU membership which would provide the nation with equivalent prosperity.

The destabilising folly of leaving the European Union is now glaringly obvious, but still denied by Leavers whose

devotion to a discredited cause borders on fanaticism.

Constructive debate on how to find a solution to the impasse has been hindered by irresponsible parts of the media whose first concern is to increase their audiences through generating facile controversy fuelled by unhelpful chauvinism.

The referendum was a mismanaged mistake held merely to settle internal Tory feuds.

It’s high time that decisions and legislation on complex matters once again becomes the sole responsibility of elected representatives, though whether Westminster is any longer a fit and proper system for them to adequately dis charge their proper responsibilties is another matter.

But there’s growing frustration at the ineptitude of our body politic and failure to fix it will hasten the breakup of the UK.

ANTHONY O’DONNELL Dean Park Crescent, Edinburgh

In 2016 Leavers promised they would restore the parliamentary sovereignty they claimed had been lost to Brussels. Since then they have turned Westminster into a theatre of anarchy unable to agree on anything. A nation once admired for its robust institutions and pragmatic democracy has been turned into a joke.

The EU has now more say in our affairs than it has ever. A delay is in its gift and requires unanimous consent. Theresa May’s halfbaked deal, much worse than “remaining”, is getting closer to the winning post and may succeed on its third (or fourth) attempt. Is this really taking back control?

(REV DR) JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews