Sir, – The more the “debate” over a possible Brexit continues, the more I am convinced this is a huge smokescreen foisted on the British public. David Cameron must be laughing at home every night as to how he has diverted any number of important issues off the media agenda to be replaced by a pseudo-issue, the outcome of which is a foregone conclusion.
Despite fear of the rise radical nationalism, at the last general election Ukip got just one MP elected and could not even get its own leader over the line, indicating that while there is a sizeable minority of right-wing loons in the UK (as there is everywhere), there is no appetite for far-right policies among the mainstream electorate.
The moderate majority of ordinary people are fully aware that isolationism and exclusion are retrograde steps and will deliver an overwhelming rejection of Brexit.
As for the Irish debate about whether a Brexit would be good or bad for us, please can we talk about something that might materially affect people here, such as the housing crisis, the rise of radical Islamism, Ireland’s chances in the Euros – anything other than this nonsense! – Yours, etc,
ROBERT CHESTER,
Knocklyon,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – I welcome the acceptance by Rory Crotty (May 21 st) that there are circumstances in which it is reasonable for UK ministers to campaign in the Republic during a referendum campaign.
However, he claims that such a referendum would have little impact on the UK. I disagree.
We in the UK pay a net £10 billion per annum to the EU, which then allocates a major proportion of this amount to agriculture in other EU countries, including the Republic. As UK taxpayers, we have also provided a loan to the Republic to help rescue it from its economic crisis.
So clearly how the people of the Republic vote on EU issues does impact on UK taxpayers, be they in London or Co Armagh! – Yours, etc,
LORD KILCLOONEY,
Mullinure,
Co Armagh.