Suggested ‘Brexit benefits’ are all harmful or pointless

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

It seems the regulations Jacob Rees-Mogg wants to put a match to are our own (Reuters)

After all the misinformation, a population deeply divided voted for Brexit by a small majority. One of the chief architects of this grave error, Jacob Rees-Mogg, himself so bereft of the alleged benefits of this act of self-harm, canvassed for others to find the light in the dark.

Sean O’Grady reports a mere 2,000 responses, which have been whittled down to nine. The article describes why those nine are either harmful or pointless. Goodness knows the value of the 1,991 that are considered unworthy. Nine benefits, is that it?

I’m reminded of a somewhat depressing song written by Jerry Leiber and Matt Stoller which was recorded by Peggy Lee in 1969 – “Is That All There Is”. She laconically half talks and sings her way through the lyrics.

Never mind, it must all have been worth it – mustn’t it?

Graham Barlow

Wirral

In response to Sean O’ Grady’s excellent article: my niece, in her role at Ofgem, frequently met her counterparts in the other EU. Almost as one voice, they said it was such a pity that the UK was leaving the EU.

Nearly all the EU energy regulations (most of them sensible) had been instigated and designed by the UK. It seems the regulations Jacob Rees-Mogg wants to put a match to are our own, and will probably have to be put back when the flames have died down.

John Stanton

Address supplied

Unwitting breaches

Thank you for your coverage of the prime minister’s responses to Partygate.

Mr Johnson seeks to excuse himself by saying he “unwittingly” breached guidelines and so is not in breach of the ministerial code. Am I alone in thinking that ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law and thus neither is his “unwitting” behaviour?

G W Holmes

Paris

The only option

It is most disappointing to read article after article saying Johnston remains in the job because there is no other viable option.

Really, we can’t offer up anyone else to replace our worst PM in living memory? What a sad state of affairs and a terrible indictment on the country.

Paul Morrison

Glasgow

Animal cruelty

Jane Dalton’s excellent article pinpoints with precise accuracy the loathsome, haunting cruelty of fur farming, and the cold-hearted indifference to it displayed by people like Jacob Rees-Mogg.

To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here

The government has the power and the public support to protect innumerable animals from cruelty, but seem to prefer not to do so. Certainly, there are Tory MPs who oppose these and other cruel activities – but they are being overruled.

No animal lover should – in good conscience – ever vote Tory.  With their record to reflect on, I’m afraid “Tory animal lover” becomes an oxymoron.

I await Keir Starmer’s response. There is a huge potential to win over people’s votes by promoting as robust an animal welfare manifesto as held by his predecessor as Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

Animal lovers like me were devastated to see the destruction of Corbyn by certain sections of the media, and with it our hopes of real protection for animals. Starmer can resurrect these hopes – there is nothing to lose and much to gain by doing so.

Penny Little

Great Haseley