Even if the PM comes back from Brussels with a deal, it is going to be pretty thin gruel compared with the delightful oven-ready meal he promised. In four years’ time, when there is another general election, much else will have happened to absorb voters’ attention, but sadly many “red wall” voters are likely to have discovered that their lives have been further levelled down rather than up, and that at least part of the reason will lie with Brexit (This is the last exit to Brexit. But in truth, there was only ever one road, 8 December). So why would Labour want to be associated with this disaster? It does not need to vote against a deal, if there is one, but surely abstention or a free vote leaves the party able to assess the result of Brexit without having its hands tied by “but you voted for it”(Shadow cabinet MPs express Labour Brexit strategy doubts, 8 December).
Sarah Cemlyn
Bristol
• Martin Kettle hits the nail on the head: Europe will remain a live issue in British politics – and especially within the Conservative party – for years to come (The partition of Ireland reverberates through history – and Brexit will too, 9 December). Labour should take note, because if Keir Starmer gets into bed with Boris Johnson over his deal, whatever form it may take, he and his party will pay for it – for years to come, in the same way the Lib Dems have had to own tuition fees and austerity. Food shortages? Labour voted for it. Power cuts? Labour voted for those too. Job losses? The right honourable gentleman didn’t so much as mention that on the day he walked through the lobby…
Robin Prior
Stroud, Gloucestershire
