One of the most alarming aspects of the government’s plans for a no-deal Brexit is the casual way in which ministers have declared that 3,500 troops are on standby to deal with “contingencies” (Business ‘watching in horror’ as PM plans for no-deal Brexit, 19 December). This was revealed by the defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, in a two-sentence statement lacking in detail or any attempt at a justification. Have we now reached the point where the deployment of troops on to the streets of the UK is treated as a minor policy detail? It is vital that the government gives more detail about the plans for troops. In particular, it must rule out the use of troops for social control in the event of civil unrest.
Leavers and remainers have been busy talking about democracy. Democracy is not about controlling people through the barrel of a gun. Sending troops on to the streets is no alternative to listening to people’s grievances. A democracy cannot allow armed forces to have power over civilians. Some assume that Gavin Williamson is thinking in terms of using troops to distribute food and medicines in the event of a breakdown of supplies. If this is what he means, he needs to say so. Even then, these tasks could be better handled by civilian emergency services if they received the extra funding that Williamson is constantly demanding for the armed forces. The chaos over Brexit must not be misused to present the armed forces as the only people who can save us in a crisis.
Symon Hill
Peace Pledge Union
• In the Middle Ages, when the cardinals failed to elect a new pope for a year, the people were so enraged that they locked them up in the Vatican “con clave”, with a key (thus the word “conclave”), on a diet of bread and water, until they had made a decision. It took the cardinals 24 hours to decide on one. Shouldn’t we being doing the same thing with our MPs in the House of Commons until they have made a decision on Brexit?
Hugh and Amber Wellesley-Smith
Leeds
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