YOUR correspondent Keith Watts (Letters June 15) continues to try to strike fear into the hearts of all “If the UK fails to reach a deal with the EU…” this may happen (or it may not), the worst case is... (but there are many other cases) etc, etc.

Instead of continuing with the running sore which is our exit negotiation we should tell the EU that we are ending the current disingenuous negotiations and reverting to WTO rules with immediate effect, take whatever real consequences flow from that (rather than continuously contemplate what the consequences may be) and then negotiate a future relationship with the EU from outside the mare’s nest of tangled rules and regulations which, if I remember correctly, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, said were not intended to be understood by ordinary citizens.

Unlike Mr Watts’ assertion we can live without a deal – it’s called WTO rules. Let’s get on with it and negotiate with the EU just as we negotiate with any other country in the world.

Why is it that so many have been convinced that we cannot live as an independent nation, trading and co-operating with all nations of the world in peace and harmony and so want to keep us in the corrupt and corrupting behemoth which is the EU?

Stanley Oram, Bulbery, Abbotts Ann.