Brexit and austerity are destroying our economy – but at least we’ve learnt some valuable lessons

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I do hope the Tories are proud of their achievement in taking us from the fifth largest and one of the fastest growing economies in the EU to a 12 per cent slide on the value of the pound and a negative impact on GDP growth, thanks to austerity.

With the possibility of a global recession looming, it’s difficult to envision a worse time to be doing Brexit – such are the compound effects of poor judgement and very little planning.

So in circumstances such as these, whose job is it to put a stop to actions most likely to be seriously damaging to the nation?

That aside for a moment, what have we learnt? I would like to think we have learnt a great deal, given the enormous costs of this white elephant.

First, we’ve learnt that there are some judgements that politicians are just not qualified to make, and at such times it becomes imperative to listen to the right “experts” in the field.

Second, there are some issues in which the good of the country must override both party politics, and an ill-judged, misinformed referendum.

Third, the world of “spin” and “image” must be left behind if the integrity of British politics is to be preserved.

Indeed, I wonder if the legacy of Margaret Thatcher is such that Tory leaders now feel compelled to try to imitate her style and manner?

Most importantly, I hope we’ve learnt that we cannot have a situation where a few people decide what is or is not democratic, and use spin slogans like “Brexit means Brexit” to silence the voice of reason.

Michael Cunliffe
Ilkley

Give the MPs a time-out

Turbine installation vessels are ships with sizeable platforms that can be raised above sea level by means of legs, often used in connection with the installation of wind farms.

Would it be possible for one such vessel to carry the Houses of Parliament, complete with arrogant and constantly arguing MPs, offshore for the remaining weeks of Brexit wheeler dealing?

Many of us, especially Leavers, are absolutely fed up with those we voted in to govern now doing everything in their power to ignore and overturn the result of the democratic referendum of 2016.

A month in the North Sea might just make them remember their homes and constituents more fondly.

Jen West
Falmouth

Hunt’s had enough chances

When is the prime minister going to show some bottle and shunt the awful Jeremy Hunt back to the back benches?

After doing untold damage to the NHS, he is now roaming the world destroying what little reputation we still have abroad, when we need all the friends we can get.

Mike Margetts
Kilsby

Are we in need of divine intervention?

I understand that the archbishop of Canterbury is planning for five days of prayer after we leave the EU on 29 March.

Would it not be wise to bring such solemn requests for help forward, maybe even to as early as this week?

After all, when you look at some of the political rhetoric, I fear divine intervention may be our only way out.

Robert Boston
Kingshill

Sports should be a level playing field

Jonathan Liew implies that because sport isn’t a “level playing field” it doesn’t really matter if trans women compete in female sports, despite biological advantages.

Of course sport isn’t a complete level playing field and nor should it be. Crucially though, Liew ignores how most sports take active measures to empower particular groups to compete, where otherwise they would by physiologically disadvantaged: the young, disabled people and, yes, females.

According to Liew’s logic, not only is it fair for transwomen to compete with biological females but for adults to compete in children’s sport and the able-bodied to compete with disabled people.

Daniel Sage
Address supplied