TONY ROBINSON’S letter is an excellent summary of what led to Brexit, and UK’s prospects now (D&S Times, Apr 14). His verdict is justifiably pessimistic, although there may be grounds for greater optimism for future generations.
One of the original purposes of the treaties of Rome, which developed into the present EU, was to make war between the countries involved impossible. We have seen war between European countries then outside the EU since its inception. Yet there are older people who see countries like Germany having a part in formulating our laws as quite unacceptable and an infringement of our sovereignty. The memories of parents and grandparents have some influence on their thinking.
But to today’s young people, the Second World War is as much part of history as is the Crimean War, and their different attitudes to and experiences of things European were reflected in their voting patterns in the referendum (I applauded the refusal of this year’s University Challenge winners team to talk afterwards to the right-wing press!).
Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission chief, has said that the re-entry of UK into the EU at some future date would be most welcome. After Mrs May’s “good deal” is seen for what it is likely to be would seem a good time to start a campaign for re-entry with all of the fervour shown by Ukip in taking us out, but without the false accounting and rhetoric.
By then the so-called problem of mass immigration will probably have solved itself without Mrs May doing anything!
Jim Robinson, Morton-on-Swale
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