YP Letters: Brexit issues raise fears about future in disunited kingdom

SINCE becoming politically aware, I’ve believed in the need for fair votes, i.e. representing the majority view. For many decades, no Government, (except possibly the coalition), have had true majority support, and I have criticised them all as “undemocratic”.

Democracy is “rule by all the people, usually through elected representatives”. Believing this, I despise views of the “democratic” likes of Dick Lindley (The Yorkshire Post, February 6) who claims that the 28 per cent who voted “Brexit” are “the British people”. I suspect he – and a Tory government – would not accept a vote of 28 per cent of trade unionists as being enough to trigger industrial action.

MPs should not fear this minority, and yes, Mr Lindley, MPs do know better than voters. That is why we elect them and provide them with resources to study all kinds of situations in depth. This situation does not apply to many ordinary people who do not read anti-European tabloids and could make no sense of the lies and misinformation surrounding Brexit.

I fear for the future of this once United Kingdom, due to the actions of those who profess to want so-called “independence” for it. So many “democrats” are pursuing undemocratic means that I believe will leave little England without a seat at any meaningful international table.

From: Tony McCobb, West Ella Way, Kirk Ella.

A RECENT report has revealed that Hull is the only UK city out of 63 to export more to the USA than to the EU. That is worrying.

On the one hand, the Government has chosen to abandon the EU, which accounts for 30 per cent of Hull’s exports. So we cannot know whether we will be able to continue to trade on favourable terms with the EU.

On the other hand, an arbitrary, unpredictable President Trump is committed to savagely protectionist policies of “America First”.

When he raises import tariffs and duties to protect US industry and jobs, Hull’s reliance on exports to America will make Hull very vulnerable.

The report also highlights that finding alternative destinations for Hull’s exports is not going to be easy.

Far-flung places like Japan, Korea and Australia account 
for just one per cent of Hull’s exports each – Hull exports more than that to Belgium or Ireland alone.

Hull exporters will really have their work cut out to make up the shortfall from our bigger markets – and save jobs.