We are set to repeat the mistakes we made in Iraq by leaving the EU
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Your support makes all the difference.The Chilcot report has identified a number of failings in government decision-making. It is disturbing to note that the Brexit decision repeats many of them, including: judgements on the severity of the threat presented with a certainty that was not justified; policy based on flawed assessments; consequences that were underestimated despite explicit warnings; and planning and preparations that were wholly inadequate. The report concludes that in the future, all aspects of any intervention need to be calculated, debated and challenged with rigour. Perhaps the most useful lesson we can draw from Chilcot is that the Brexit decision should be challenged with rigour.
Geoff Foster
London
In the lead up to the Iraq War there were many voices saying it was a bad idea and imploring the government not to do it. History has proved them right. Today many voices are imploring the government not to go through with Brexit. All the scenarios suggested look worse than continued membership of the European Union. The effects are already being felt on job security, savings and property. Please think. Is it worth all this anguish and uncertainty? I implore the Government: don’t do it.
Kathy Hall
Derby
The Chilcot report should reveal more facts related to the decision in 2003 to invade Iraq that resulted in unplanned human suffering, financial chaos and political turmoil. Given that the EU referendum seems to be creating similar disastrous consequences, an inquiry now would help to ensure that prompt remedial action could be taken on its findings.
Victor Lawrance
London
Hans Blix
One question John Rentoul selectively doesn’t ask: what about Hans Blix’s widely reported statement at the time that, in his professional view, there were no weapons of mass destruction, nor indeed the capability for producing them in Iraq, and his request for more time to demonstrate that? His official statements should not be lost in the convenient fog of misinformation from a PhD student that seemingly lets people off the hook. Just as the missing second UN resolution, Blix’s stance (and, indeed that of Dr David Kelly) was rubbished. I hope, but without much hope, that Chilcot at least gives Blix an honourable mention.
Beryl Wall
London
Scotland can take the UK’s place in the EU
Numerous television and newspaper reports confirm that the reason given for voting Leave was “to get their country back”. Should the success of Vote Leave in England be seen as a vote for English Independence? If this is confirmed through a referendum for English Independence, England, as a separate country, could leave the EU, and Scotland would be left to take up the existing UK membership.
Malcolm MacLeod
Fife
Where is the risk assessment?
In many areas of planning, in case “it goes pear shaped”, UK law requires a contingency plan. For example, the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99) places a legal requirement on the employer to carry out a risk assessment and, if an accident is reasonably foreseeable, put in place a contingency plan to minimise the outcome of that potential accident.
It is a great pity that our legislators didn't, or were negligent, in performing this simple task in the event of a Leave majority. Perhaps l am being naive expecting politicians to think logically.
Mike Bone
Suffolk
How many referendums do we need to have?
In answer to Grete Petrie (How many referendums do we need to have?), a referendum is not the same as a general election: the former happens once or twice in a lifetime and is decided by PR; a general election happens every five years and sadly is not decided by PR. Will people stop saying that the EU is not democratic? Who do they think votes for their MEPs? We the people do – the last time I looked, that was called democracy and also the last time I looked, on 22 June, Britain was pretty successful and great, I'm not so sure now.
A Fitzwilliam
Tunbridge Wells
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