In the Brexit Trade Deal we have forsaken frictionless agreements to be replaced by arrangements that are far less satisfactory for the economy and also for our security.

The reality is also that rather than “getting Brexit done” many continuing barriers and associated agreements will continue to be argued and negotiated about for years to come and all this at a time when research consistently finds that the majority of people in the UK now feel that voting for Brexit was the wrong decision.

I also feel both embarrassed and ashamed at the messages we have given to the rest of the world because of Brexit in relation to our desire for so called “sovereignty” which comes with greater isolation, featuring in our attitude to immigration and the way we have flouted international law.

It is a need to look at the bigger picture that should be influencing us most of all.

The greatest problem we face throughout the world is the perilous position of our planet because of the climate emergency.

This directly causes so many of the different environmental, and humanitarian crises that are currently affecting us with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Not only has Brexit proved to be a hugely expensive, time consuming and wasteful distraction from more important issues such as this, including responding effectively to the current pandemic.

It runs in completely the opposite direction from what we should be doing which is working with others on finding mutual solutions and in purely trade terms reducing the need to transport goods more widely in order to help protect the environment.

Peter Wiggin

Cirencester