We were deceived – only a second referendum on Brexit can fix our democracy

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I agree entirely with your editorial that a second referendum regarding the Brexit deal is needed and would be democratic, but I would go even further and say we now need a second referendum full stop.

Over the months since the referendum result was announced there has been countless miles of print, television interviews and information about Brexit, coming from all directions. No one can fail to notice the already devastating effects this is has had and is having on people's lives not just financially but in a much wider sense.

Our successive governments, regardless of the party, spend far too many years delaying decisions affecting everyone until serious consequences become serious happenings.

Much of what is coming to light now regarding the reality of Brexit – whether good or bad – cannot be missed by anyone, whichever way they voted. The facts are now in our faces and we are living with those consequences already. This is not the scaremongering lies peddled by both Remainers and Brexiteers at the time of the referendum – this is reality. The less well-off in our society cannot afford to wait for countless court decisions followed by two years of negotiations. The value of their pound is going down daily.

Therefore now is the time to announce a second referendum since we are now much more aware of the true facts. This should settle the argument once and for all and would be truly democratic.

CK Younis
London

We will leave the EU with our heads in our hands

I suspect that those whose vote in the 2015 general election was based on leaving the European Union must be feeling incredibly let down at the lack of planning from the government, as must those who voted to leave in this year's referendum.

David Cameron's total failure to negotiate and agree the terms of reference for the country's exit from the union demonstrates his lack of ability, talent and leadership. Theresa May is doing no better. I voted to remain, but as the small majority won the day I now expect those in charge to take charge and ensure our exit is done in the best possible way to secure our own pillar of social rights and strengthen our trade agreements.

The way things are going we face skulking off to the corner in shame, rather than marching out with our heads held high.

Jo Rust
King's Lynn

The people have spoken, but why is no one listening?

The voice of the people has spoken. and not even biased judges can change that. These people, who are part of the establishment and cannot divorce their own political opinion from their judicial judgements.

That is part of the trouble with this country. We have mountains of law and molehills of justice. Common sense is missing from the judicial system. The time has come to take all judges to task and remind them that the voice of the people matters.

We cannot have a few MPs spitting in the face of the majority of the people. The French had the same thing and that was the start of the French revolution. Perhaps that is what is needed in this country. You can only push us so far.

JH Moffatt
Bredbury

James Dyson's approach to technical education is enlightening

Amid a plethora of bad news comes word that the billionaire inventor Sir James Dyson is to help to bridge Britain’s chronic skills gap by launching of a new technical university. The Dyson Institute of Technology with its campus in Wiltshire will take its first entry next year. They won't pay fees but hold salaried posts, working alongside his engineers.

Like Cal Tech and MIT there are no pretendy subjects on offer, only wall-to-wall courses in science, technology and engineering with degrees awarded by Warwick University. I suspect the standard will be beyond elite, but if you have the stuff this is the place to go. I wonder if they will consider applications from 74-year-olds wanting to start over.

Dr John Cameron
St Andrews

Christian faith is not being protected

Charles Walker is right to suggest there is an inequality in the way Islam and Christianity are respected in this country, because there is plenty of evidence of the way individuals, employers and courts fail in this respect. In many ways Christian faith is treated less than equally and disrespected in favour of other faiths and atheism.

Theresa May seems to have missed the point when she states: “We value freedom of expression and freedom of speech in this country – that is absolutely essential in underpinning our democracy ... that right has a responsibility too, and that is a responsibility to recognise the importance of tolerance to others.” The Christian faith, probably more than any other, teaches tolerance and respect, and yet all too often those who express their opinions, based on biblical teaching, suffer discrimination and are even arrested for their views.

Wake up to the real world, Prime Minister.

Jonathan Longstaff
Buxted

Corbyn could win by a landslide in 2020

People like to write Jeremy Corbyn off, but he has survived beyond David Cameron.

If the May Government manages to get a hard Brexit and Mark Carney is able to continue his society dividing monetary policy (basically, sacrificing the poor for the rich), Corbyn would be on course for a landslide in 2020. The prospect of hard Brexit can also removed the threat of the Labour rebels from forming a new party as the foundation for that would be destroyed.

This probably explains why the Labour spokesman wasn't happy at all after the court ruling this week. The current ambiguity does not favour Labour.

The other factor that could influence the Labour fortune is what the PM Theresa May actually stands for. Is she a Leaver or Remainer? While she might look like to support Brexit, it is in her own interest to drag on the affair. So, it would not be surprising if she is behind the way the court ruling went. It's just like the ball is back to Boris Johnson's court now.

Boris Johnson could also be the one holding up Corbyn's fortune. A quick election is believed to be bad for Labour but can also be bad for Boris. After all, his seat is in London. It's unlikely Boris and co would risk their cherished power now for a risky election. The election could reset the balance of Europhile and Eurosceptic again. So, Corbyn could still be in place for a landslide in 2020.

Kai Tsang
Stoke-on-Trent