Parliament should do the right thing and halt Brexit

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Amber Rudd has been pushing for a softer version of Brexit, along with the Chancellor (PA)

Chancellor Philip Hammond was asked on Friday’s BBC Today programme whether, in its Brexit negotiations, the Government was trying to make the best of a bad job. He gave a diplomatic answer, but he could have said “Yes”.

It is becoming clearer by the day that leaving the EU is a huge mistake. We are in the ridiculous position that the majority of MPs think so, yet they feel duty bound to take the country down this chaotic and dangerous road because that is “the will of the people”. How was that will expressed? “The people” voted in a referendum with very limited understanding of the complex issues involved. Their comprehension was not helped by the grossly misleading and simplistic Leave and Remain campaigns.

It is now time for Parliament to reassert its sovereignty and follow the course which most MPs know to be best for the country and abandon Brexit. We have a representative democracy in which MPs are trusted to give leadership and act in what they believe to be the best interest of the country, not follow the uninformed flock.

Anthony Slack
Rochdale

Charlie Gard’s parents were let down by the system

During this last week of Charlie Gard’s tragically short life, it is deeply deplorable that members of staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital have been subjected to threats and abuse. No blame can possibly be attached to the doctors, nurses, and technicians responsible for his care. There is, however, legitimate cause for public concern over the way Charlie’s case has been handled by the executive and legal powers-that-be.

Many people have come to identify very strongly with Connie Yates and Chris Gard in their uphill struggle against the courts to find help for their critically ill baby. Claims by hospital administrators and lawyers that they were acting impartially in Charlie’s best interests were significantly undermined when Cafcass appointed pro-euthanasia activist Victoria Butler-Cole to serve as Charlie’s “guardian”. It makes a travesty of justice when a non-elected public body exploits its authority to reinforce the position of the Establishment and advance an ideological agenda by no means universally accepted by the general population.

Supporters of Yates and Gard are within their rights to question the trustworthiness of a system which does not recognise the rights of parents to be the primary teachers and protectors of their children. If confidence is going to be restored, there must be a re-orientation of the law in favour of supporting families, rather than disempowering them.

D J Harris
Scotland

A tipple a day keeps the doctor away

In view of yesterday's breaking news (Drinking wine or beer up to four times a week can protect against diabetes, researchers say) our GPs should be able to prescribe wine as a preventative remedy for Type 2 Diabetes.

Hopefully the Health Minister and NICE will agree with me.

Maggie Dyer
London

The NHS is a benefit, not a burden, to the economy

Politicians and economists have an unfortunate tendency to refer to the NHS as a service that is an expense and burden to the economy and taxpayer. As if it stands outside the economy.

It is in reality an asset and tool within a balanced but limited economy that enables this country to operate efficiently.

It is also an undoubted asset to an altruist democracy.

There may be people making barely useful “widgets” that are purchased by a gullible public. And this trade supposedly adds to the economy, rather than wasting global resources. We would be more genuinely affluent if those same people worked in the NHS.

Everyone should share in the benefits of the NHS and share in its support as they are able.

R W Standing
West Sussex

The Scottish government needs to make its mind up about healthcare

I live six miles north of the Scottish border and for almost 70 years have received hospital treatment in Berwick-upon-tweed, which is my nearest town. I have always attended a doctor’s surgery in Berwick.

I have now been told that although I can remain a patient at my current practice I must travel to hospitals in Scotland as the Scottish government declines to pay for treatment in this foreign country of England .

Yet another example of Nicola Sturgeon’s and her party’s ludicrous ideas.

My mother aged 90 is in the same situation and must travel the round trip of 75 miles to have a hearing or eye test rather than a 10-mile round trip to Berwick.

Joyce Guthrie
Berwickshire

If depression doubles the chance of dying, I'm avoiding the news

I have just read the article that depression doubles the chance of dying – as I am now in my 90th year, I realise that I ought to stop reading the newspapers.

But I have read the Independent ever since its first edition. Can I really stop now? So please be sure to include lots of happy news in it; that is, if you can find some.

Patricia Stewart
​Essex