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me I disagree with the Guardian editorial where he maintains that Keir Starmer is “right to endorse the deal.” Under its last leader, Labor failed the British people by not wholeheartedly opposing Brexit. Had Jeremy Corbyn pledged himself to lead the tenure cause, Labor might not have lost anything like the 50 seats it lost in the last election. The work is, thankfully, under new direction and we know where the hearts of Keir Starmer, Anneliese Dodds and Emily Thornberry are. They are Europeans through and through. Now they must have the courage of their convictions. They know that Brexit is fueled by dubious money, dodgy arguments, a focus on false “sovereignty” and elements of racism.
A comparison of the speeches of Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson summarized why Christmas Eve was such an embarrassing day. Von der Leyen spoke with feeling, insight and deep seriousness, Johnson with his usual stupidity. Britain needs to repair the damage as soon as possible. It must rejoin the EU at the earliest opportunity, and Labor must make the case unequivocally. You should start by abstaining from voting on what should be seen as a solely conservative agreement.
David curtis
Solihull, West Midlands
• The construction of a virtual border in the Irish Sea has been presented as an administrative matter of concern only to those who trade between Great Britain and Ireland. But for a part of the citizens of the United Kingdom it goes much further. Pet owners wishing to travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain after December 31 will need to have their dog, cat or ferret microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, a disease that is not present in Ireland or Great Britain. obtain an animal health certificate and wait 21 days. before the trip (at an estimated cost of over £ 100). And before entering or returning to Northern Ireland, those with a dog should visit a veterinarian for treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis, a parasite that is not present in either Great Britain or Ireland, at an additional cost of £ 30 to £ 40.
And for those of us who sail in our own boats, taking our pet with us will make calling in Northern Ireland illegal. The scheme restricts entry to travelers’ ports of entry, only Belfast and Larne, which, unless I’m wrong, will only accept entry by ferry. Skip the Bangor or Carrickfergus marinas. The upshot is that Northern Ireland is now off limits for me, a UK citizen, as I sail from Wales to Scotland. So far “borderless in the Irish Sea.”
Derek Lumb
Vice President of the Cruise Association
• I’m surprised that in your summary (From Fees to Visas: Here’s What’s in the Brexit Deal, Dec 24) you don’t specifically mention how the deal affects financial services (roughly 7% of our GDP). Compare that to fishing, which has its own section (at 0.1% of reported GDP). I understand that discussions about equivalency rights need to continue, but clearly this is a big bone that still has to be fought for, with powerful players. Was it an oversight or are you just trying to keep your spirits up in the post-Christmas slumber?
Ian Bartlett
East Molesey, Surrey
• I have been teaching French and Spanish for 37 years and see first-hand the benefits of the Erasmus program (UK students lose Erasmus membership in the Brexit deal, December 24). Hundreds of my students, and indeed my children, have been able to study in Europe, and I have been amazed at how much they have matured as a result. Many students will not be able to travel without Erasmus. Last month, we had a 20-year-old German with us, a wonderful ambassador for his country. He may not have been able to come to England without support. This decision will hamper the future of thousands of British and EU students.
David huggon
Head of Spanish, The Sixth Form
University, Colchester
• Naming the replacement for Erasmus (currently non-existent) after Alan Turing is wonderfully appropriate. Turing was a talented mathematician who served his country with distinction. His academic career and life were destroyed by the callous actions of an intolerant government.
Geoff johnstone
Malvern, Worcestershire
• For a speaker whose pronouncements range from misjudged exaggeration at best to outright verbiage at worst, the prime minister’s appropriation of “good news of great joy,” the angels’ message of the nativity , was a new rhetorical bass (Report, December 25).
Brenda Buchanan-Smith
Weybridge, Surrey
• So the Brexit deal is Boris Johnson’s Christmas gift to the nation. One of those junk gifts for kids that stops working at the end of Boxing Day.
Dave hanson
Shell
• Boris Johnson described the Brexit deal as finding the Philosopher’s Stone, which is believed to have the power to turn base metal into gold. It never existed, but the idea was used by alchemists to fool a gullible public. Many true words …
Florence Rayner
Sheffield
