Despite what Leavers would like to believe, Remainers can be patriots too

Having fought for my country I am appalled by the arrogant assertion that anyone who does not back Brexit does not back Britain. I am a patriot. Britain, before the referendum, was a leader in Europe and the world. Brexit has seriously damaged our reputation. Our Prime Minister has been all but ignored by India, China and EU leaders since the vote and our economic future looks bleak. I would argue that anyone who truly loves this country and believes in Britain being a global leader should be trying to prevent Brexit with every sinue.

Mark Grey
London

I disagree with your letters contributor that “Remainers trying to block Brexit, are nothing more than spoiled children”. Remainers and Leavers are at different ends of the spectrum and it is clear that there would be upset feelings from whoever lost the referendum. Many people who voted Remain truly feel that our country will be seriously worse off as a result of Brexit. You cannot expect them to just stand aside whilst we all become poorer and loose our place in the world.

I voted Remain and I am truly appalled at the racism and hate that is fuelling the debate around Brexit. I thought I was living in a tolerant, multi-cultural society based on equality and respect. If Leave voters want to gain the trust and respect of those who voted Remain they must themselves stand up for all those who live in our country and must speak out against those who are using the referendum on the EU for their own right wing agenda.

The fact is that the conservative government and some of the national newspapers are acting as if the vote was not pretty evenly split. They appear to be ignoring the 48 per cent of people who voted remain and this will only continue the hurt, and disappointment that this group feels. We are a divided nation and we need a government who can breach this divide and find a way of bringing people together.

Nicki Bartlett
Cardiff

Since June 23^rd the most frequent slander aimed at the 48 per cent of us who voted to remain is that we are behaving like spoilt children because we don’t like the result. The accusation is almost always accompanied by a short patronising, and invariably wrong-headed lecture on the meaning of democracy of which Colin Bower’s letter is typical. He, and all those like him, should remember that our democracy does not require us all to conform to the will of the majority. Our culture gives us freedom of thought. Our democracy gives us freedom of speech and action within the law. It is right and proper for any citizen to continue to say and do what he or she thinks is right for this country. The surest way to kill this democratic culture is to fail to exercise those rights.

There are, however, some much better reasons why Brexit has gained no converts among the 48 per cent. In the five months since the referendum, leading Brexiteers have been unable to provide any consistent explanation of what Brexit actually means and continue to suffer the humiliation of having a Remainer leading the effort to define it for them. Without a commonly understood goal there can be no plan. Without a plan there can be no effective riposte to those of us who argue that there are very considerable dangers ahead if we continue this course of action. Yet if we say this we are continually told that we are behaving like children. We are not children. We are the grown-ups in the room.

Paul Roberts
London

You have published a series of letters from Brexit supporters suggesting that remain supporters are behaving undemocratically. In what sense does a wish for Britain's Parliament to oversee our withdrawal terms and our future relationship with Europe become undemocratic? Democracy demands openness and accountability and we and Brexit supporters surely agree that it is our sovereign Parliament who needs to ensure that accountability. Do Brexit supporters now want no political discussion and no ongoing scrutiny of a process that will fundamentally affect the future of every one of us?

Brian Mitchell
Cambridge

Well done Mark Carney for once again speaking out in his erudite fashion against the usual suspects trying to move blame away from themselves (Bank of England Governor Mark Carney rounds on critics for avoiding ‘hard truths’ about economy, 5 December). The economic and political mess, the gross inequality in this country and rise of bigotry has been caused by politicians over many years and is getting worse.

I fear that the same individuals shall continue to blame the Bank of England and for that matter anyone else in their desperation to follow a right wing ideology whatever the damage to the UK.

After all I am sure some readers will remember some odious MPs attempted to blame Robert Peston for the 2008 financial meltdown. Mind boggling!

Robert Boston
Kent

I agree with the article about Theresa May being forced by parliament to inform them of her plan for Brexit (Brexit: Theresa May faces Tory revolt that could force her to reveal her plans, 5 December). Unfortunately it is based on the premise that she actually knows herself.

N Smith
Sussex

Arron Banks’s remark that the Austrians “haven’t suffered enough rape and murder yet” typifies many utterances made by Ukip (Nigel Farage ally says Austrains rejected far-right because they ‘haven’t suffered enough rape and murder yet, 5 December). This accusation that immigrants are solely responsible for hideous crimes is irresponsible, inflammatory and wanting in factual accuracy.

Rosa Wei-Ling Chang
Sheffield