Sir, – What next? Prime Minister Leadsom of Poundland? – Yours, etc,
KIERAN McGUIRE,
Kilcock,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Laura Kennedy's wise and timely article ought to be essential reading for Ireland's standing army of EU cheerleaders ("Reaction to Brexit reveals an ugly sense of superiority", July 8th).
Some of the reaction to the Brexit decision has been irredeemably arrogant and condescending.
The millions who voted Leave were not the commentariat’s cherished caricature of a venal and stupid people. – Yours, etc,
CATHERINE MAHON,
London.
Sir, – Laura Kennedy makes the point, in the context of the Brexit vote, that respect for democracy requires respect for the majority viewpoint articulated within that democracy.
While it is correct that the decision has democratic credentials that should be acknowledged, this claim seems too strong. What is required within a properly functioning democracy is a spirit of tolerance for contrary viewpoints, even ones that individuals may find repugnant, and tolerance of outcomes produced by a democratic process that is essentially fair.
For the minority to rail against the majority, and even to try to circumvent the result within the constraints of the democratic process, is itself an exercise of democracy.
This is no different than seeing a party one opposes elected into government and then continuing to vote against it in subsequent elections, or seeking to have its goals frustrated by the party one did in fact vote for.
In the same way, Remain and Leave voters alike are still well within their democratic rights to do their utmost within that framework to advance the cause of what they believe to be right. – Yours, etc,
ROBERT NOONAN,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – Laura Kennedy’s article regarding the EU referendum result here in the UK overlooks the key fact and frustration that the Remain supporters feel regarding the outcome of the result.
The point is not that we feel intellectually superior, but rather that we feel the democratic result that was delivered was based on lies.
The two key “promises” of the Leave campaign were reduction of immigration and giving £350 million per week to the NHS instead of sending it to Europe.
Many people voted on the basis of these “facts”.
Addressing the complexities and uncertainties of a Leave outcome was dismissed as “scaremongering”.
It is not so much a feeling of superiority but rather one of despair, as we sit here watching the Leave leaders run away. The reality is that no one had a plan to implement a Leave result. – Yours, etc,
ELEANOR DOODY,
London.