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Democracy in action

If remainers spent half as much time and effort as they do in opposition to those who voted to leave, then there could have well been a favourable conclusion to our leaving the EU by now.

Those of us who lived through the war years will remember General DeGaulle who after being looked after throughout France’s occupation, kicked us in the teeth by saying “non” when we applied to join the Common Market.

Barnier reminds me of him, nice to our face but behind our backs, knowing of remainers who would rather see us in turmoil, is enjoying watching Mrs May squirm and making more concessions.

As for the remainers who quote that the 37 per cent would have voted leave, that is tosh. I have voted for over 60 years and all elections - national, local or union - should have been declared null and void because all those who did not use their vote on their assumption would have voted for the opposition, but it won on a democratic vote.

JH Oliver, Brooklands Avenue, Swindon

Healthy debate

In reply to Mr Kane’s letter “We all have opinions” 1st September, Mr Kane is right to assume that I believe in freedom of speech as my previous letters to the SA over the years proves so.

However I will contest vigorously any correspondent whose views I disagree with. It makes for a good, healthy debate on these very pages.

It was interesting to note Mr Kane said that “any debate should take place within confines of the law and should definitely not incite any type of violence”. Isn’t that what Boris Johnson’s repulsive and inflammatory comments provoked? So therefore shouldn’t he be charged with incitement?

At the end of the day Mr Kane I am sure you will agree that what you see as freedom of speech I may consider as hate/incitement, and vice versa.

Mark Webb, Old Town, Swindon

Desperate dancer

Watching Theresa May’s somewhat stiff and stilted version of African dance she displayed at the conclusion of her trade talks last week, one has to wonder, what exactly is there for her to dance about?

She has managed the earth shattering feat of replicating the exact same deals we already have with those African countries now, through the very powerful medium of trading as part of the EU. We will follow all the same rules we do at present. However, in return for the favour of those promised post Brexit trade deals as a much smaller entity we have had to promise £4bn worth of aid and increased immigration from those countries. Apart from that, our trade with Africa is only 0.7 percent of our total exports anyway.

Ever since the referendum Brexit is costing the country between £300-400m per week in lost growth and reduced value of the pound. It is tying the government up and costing so much we can’t get on with anything else, such as sorting out the NHS. After Brexit, this will continue for years.

One has to wonder, what’s the point? Theresa May must be absolutely desperate to dance about this.

Steve Rouse, Wroughton

Change of philosophy

Everyone agrees that we need to recycle more plastic waste to save the planet and protect the oceans from plastic pollution.

Britain has found that the cheapest way to recycle is to export our plastic waste to third world countries.

It has now been discovered that most of what we exported ended up in land fill abroad.

Britain has tried to avoid building proper recycling plants in Britain as it requires the government getting involved with industrial production which goes against basic Conservative philosophy.

It is British industry that creates wealth in this country. The Conservatives need a total change of philosophy.

Britain needs to be much more supportive of its home grown manufacturing industry.

Steve Halden, Beaufort Green, Swindon