In 2013 David Cameron announced that he would seek a new settlement for Britain in a newly invigorated Europe. That vision was far from clear, not only to the other 27 but to very many of the British people (as 23 June eventually showed). So, in February last year, finding himself between a rock and a hard place, he returned with only a small handful of concessions.
Now Theresa May, with an even vaguer vision for Britain (and none for the EU), finds herself stuck between not a rock but a mountain and a very hard place indeed. So when her wise and skilled officials tell her this truth, they are forced out. Does she think France and Germany and all the other partners will just roll over if we quit without an agreement? Do we want the continental EU itself to collapse? Everyone knows that what would follow would be a disaster. At no other time since the second world war have we been in greater need of seasoned diplomats.
Sir Ivan Rogers’ resignation (Report, 3 January) is just one more indicator of the really big mess we’re in.
Roger Bibbings
Colwall, Herefordshire
• It is becoming increasing clear, following the resignation of the British ambassador to the EU, that the Brexiteers did not expect to win the referendum and have no clear objectives as to how to obtain the best deal for the UK. To obtain the best deal for the UK, Mrs May doesn’t need a Brexiteer in this post but someone like Sir Ivan who can give her clear objective advice. I would urge her to follow the example of Elizabeth I, who, on appointing as her chief minister Sir William Cecil, said of him: “This opinion I have of you: that whatever you know my personal opinion to be, you will give me advice that is best for the realm.”
Valerie Crews
Beckenham, Kent
• Another immensely qualified person loses their job for not being optimistic enough about Brexit. This as we enter 2017, the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Holyoake, the man who coined the word “jingoism”. How very apt. And how utterly depressing.
Michael Egan
Umeå, Sweden
• Sir Ivan Rogers’ resignation is a great boost to Britain’s negotiating position on leaving the EU. He clearly didn’t know which team he was playing for.
Malcolm Rivers
Isleworth, Middlesex
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