Boris Johnson’s Brexit proposals are completely unserious

We should not trust that Boris Johnson, a serial liar, is actually trying to get a deal. On the contrary, he is simply proposing impossible terms to spread around the blame later.

As the Irish taoiseach said, you can’t have Northern Ireland in two separate customs unions without border checks. He also pointed out that although all recent polling indicates the majority of the UK now want to remain in the EU, we lack the political instruments to do so. In the unlikely event of any withdrawal agreement being agreed, let the people give it their endorsement in a second referendum. At least we would know what we were voting for.

Stefhan Wickham
Oxted

Every day that passes brings greater clarity with regard to the truly dire economic and social damage that leaving the EU without a deal would do to the UK.

Now that so much of the Vote Leave mythology has been comprehensively debunked, could someone please tell us what advantages Brexit would actually bring?

D Maughan Brown
York

James Cleverly was heard saying on the BBC’s Today programme that, following discussions with Arlene Foster, it was important that we recognise and support the opinions of the elected representatives in Northern Ireland – presumably as opposed to the views of the majority of the population who voted Remain. This would appear to be at odds with the situation in the rest of the UK where we are told that the will of the people is paramount and any dissenting elected MPs are no better than traitors.

G Forward
Stirling

If the Tory party conference is “European”, then I’m a Dutchman.

Richard Greenwood
Bewdley

Over recent years we have seen two prime ministers effectively appointed by a few members of the Conservative Party rather voted in by the electorate. This has been roundly condemned across the board by many, including Jeremy Corbyn.

It may well be constitutionally correct following a vote of no confidence for the leader of the opposition to be asked by the Queen to form a government, but could I suggest that Jeremy Corbyn makes a statement to the Commons saying that while he plans to lead a Labour government, given recent unease with unelected prime ministers he would only accept a request to form a government after having won a general election in order to ensure the legitimacy and acceptability of his government. Something the current government lacks.

He should then go on to say who he would suggest/support to be head of an interim government following a successful vote of no confidence to oversee Brexit and to organise the general election which everyone, including the current appointee in No 10, says they want.

John Simpson
Ross on Wye

Instead of government granting new powers to arrest protesters, how about listening to their very reasonable demands which, if acted on, would help the UK to fulfil its pledges on fossil fuel reduction and climate change action?

They could start by stopping our widely condemned investment in overseas fossil fuel projects.

Lynda Newbery​
Bristol