Phillip James (letter, 26 November) says he is irritated to read or hear EU spokespersons or Remain supporters ranting on about how damaging a No Deal Brexit would be to the UK economy, and that “no mention is ever made of the reciprocal damage to the EU economy”.
I don’t know what newspaper or voice programme Mr James relies on, but it sounds as if he needs to try something different.
I have seen and heard numerous statements by both the above accused parties that do acknowledge the corresponding effects on the EU side.
In fact, they have been less denying than the Brexiteer folk (and, at times, the British government) have tended to be, and have given every sign that they are very aware of their own interests.
I doubt they have any need for Mr James to explain those to them.
It is the Brexiteers that have gone on repeatedly about a No Deal Brexit being ok, not the EU. And the ever-repeated references to the EU’s “unreasonable demands” really mean “I don’t like you demanding of me what I would demand of you if I were in your shoes”.
Two things worth remembering: First, the EU is made up of 27 countries, over which the effects are spread, though not necessarily evenly; and second, that references to the effects on Britain most often quote the government’s own acknowledged calculations or those of internationally respected financial organisations.
As for the lorry queues at ports, France has already done significant work to prepare the necessary facilities on its side of the Channel; let’s hope we can catch up in time.
John Tippler
Spalding
