Sir, – What the Brexit debate shows above all is just how imprecise a “science” economics is. Claim by one side is met by counterclaim from the other – on leaving the British economy will go immediately into recession and contract by up to 2 or 3 per cent; no, the removal of EU regulations, etc, will result in growth of around 2 or 3 per cent. And so on.
No one seems able to say anything with anything approaching certainty, but say it they do. We may therefore conclude that the science of economics is political science, something to borne in mind when pronouncements are made on this side of the water. – Yours, etc,
EOIN DILLON,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – The letters of DA Williams and Alan Day cannot go unanswered (May 26th). Alan Day's rhapsodies about non-EU members having such easy access to EU markets ignore a vital point. Except for Switzerland, non-EU citizens do not have free movement of labour in the EU. Turkey is still negotiating for visa-free travel to the EU.
He also neglects to mention that the US has stated that it will not do separate deals with the UK and that it will have to wait for a trade deal after the EU has secured its deal. He ignores the fact that all the rules of the EU will have to be followed but without the UK having any say in the formulation of those rules.
DA Williams quotes the loan from the UK to this country as if it was an act of charity. It was a short-term loan and carried 6 per cent interest, so a nice quick profit for the UK. As for a “United States of Europe”, Britain cannot be forced to join any such union. It stayed out of Schengen and the euro, and David Cameron has received assurances that the UK will not be expected to take any steps in that direction.
DA Williams patronises the citizens of this country by saying “you were pressurised into re-runs” of the referendums. Not true! The terms were renegotiated and voters had the chance to decide. – Yours, etc,
ROLAND EVANS,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.