Readers respond to the trade and security deal struck with the EU on Christmas Eve
I find myself in disagreement with the Guardian’s editorial where it argues that Keir Starmer is “right to back the deal”. Under its last leader, Labour failed the British people by not wholeheartedly opposing Brexit. Had Jeremy Corbyn mustered the commitment to lead the remain cause, Labour might well not have lost anything like the 50-odd leave seats it did in the last election. Labour is, thankfully, under new management and we know where the hearts of Keir Starmer, Anneliese Dodds and Emily Thornberry lie. They are Europeans, through and through. They must now have the courage of their convictions. They know that Brexit is fuelled by dubious money, dodgy argument, a focus on spurious “sovereignty” and elements of racism.
A comparison of the speeches of Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson summed up why Christmas Eve was such a shaming day. Von der Leyen spoke with feeling, vision and deep seriousness, Johnson with his usual silliness. Britain needs to repair the damage as soon as it can. It needs to rejoin the EU at the first opportunity, and Labour must make the case unequivocally. It must begin by abstaining in the vote on what must be seen as solely a Tory deal.
David Curtis
Solihull, West Midlands
