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We mustn’t sit back

Regardless of how they voted in the referendum, the people I speak to agree that Brexit is not going well. Few now believe that Brexit will be good for the NHS, for jobs or the economy. Just this week BMW has announced that it is investing a billion Euros in a new plant in Hungary. This after Honda warned of the adverse effects of a hard Brexit on its production. These announcements could have dire consequences for Swindon and our MPs would do well to take notice.

You will be aware of the recent YouGov poll which found that 112 seats which originally voted leave now back remain. This list included Swindon South with 52% in favour of remaining in the EU. When the facts change, rational people change their minds. Once the final deal is known, we need a People’s Vote, with an option to remain in the EU. Our children and grandchildren will never forgive us if we just sit back and do nothing.

Sarah Bowles, Hodson, Swindon

Down Under dealings

I too share John Stooke’s misgivings about our economy post Brexit, (Not looking good, S.A. 17th August).

Liam Fox recently announced a contract that has been won by UK companies to build six frigates for the Australian navy. He cited this as an example of what could be achieved once we were “free from the shackles” of the EU.

Although thinking that apparently we didn’t need to leave the EU to secure work of this nature, at least I welcomed the prospect of continuing employment for our shipwrights in Barrow-in-Furness or elsewhere. It was only later I learned that the vessels are to be built in Australia. Moreover, we are to “assist them to develop their own shipyards”, so presumably they won’t need to buy from us in future.

If that’s the best the Brexit team can come up with then heaven help us in future.

Don Reeve, Horder Mews, Old Town, Swindon

Keeping terrorists out

The letter from Liz Webster (Aug 17) is correct in that there has been a rise in terrorist attacks over recent years culminating with the latest car ramming attack on our Westminster parliament.

Liz Webster is a well known supporter of the EU and was the Liberal Democrat candidate for North Swindon in the 2017 General Election.

Having open borders with Europe makes it much harder to stop terrorists moving across national boundaries and this is one of the reasons why Britain voted to leave the EU.

The voters in Britain are also very tired of the many years of austerity. Britain can no longer afford to pay the EU membership fee which is now £13 billion a year.

That money could be better spent on improving the services provided by the NHS here in Britain.

Martin Costello, Swindon